Docklands News

Property developer Ballymore has received planning approval for a major regeneration scheme in Newham, east London, featuring 1,685 new homes. The Thames Road site, which borders Thames Barrier Park and Pontoon Dock DLR, will include 173 social rent homes, 359 co-living suites, a primary school, and 13,500 sq m of light industrial and flexible workspace. Designed by Howells, the development will also feature riverside mansion blocks, townhouses, and a park. Ballymore aims to begin construction next year and is awaiting approval for a nearby sister site with 1,667 additional homes.

Architects' Journal (14/01/2026)   Housing Today (14/01/2026)   Property Week (14/01/2026)  

London's housing crisis is worsening, with a reported need for 88,000 new homes annually, yet only 3,248 new private homes and 1,239 affordable homes were started in early 2025. The Government's revised planning policy aims to expedite construction, hindered by Brexit, the pandemic, and rising costs, which have increased by 20% since 2020. Despite a budget package for support, experts suggest that aiding developers with land acquisition and stimulating demand are vital for progress. The mismatch between expected land prices and construction costs continues to inflate new-build prices. Current affordability requirements delay development, with housing associations cutting spending on affordable homes. Confidence in the market is crucial for future growth, highlighting the pressing need for affordable housing solutions in London. 

The Observer (11/01/2026)  

HMRC has reported an 8% increase in UK home sales for November 2025 compared to November 2024, with around 100,350 transactions taking place, reflecting a 1% rise from October. So far in the financial year, 732,310 sales were recorded, down from 746,220 in the previous year. Experts suggest this surge in November results from earlier sales completion, although market activity was paused due to uncertainties surrounding the budget. Increased mortgage rate cuts and the resolution of some economic uncertainties are expected to stimulate demand going into 2026. However, factors like affordability and borrowing costs may lead to a gradual rather than dramatic increase in market activity. Overall, signs indicate a stabilising market, with a cautious recovery anticipated in the near future. 

Daily Mail (10/01/2026)   The Independent (10/01/2026)   The Standard (10/01/2026)  

Houses currently valued at £1.5m could be dragged into the mansion tax, with Jonathan Russell, chief executive of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), saying that up to 200,000 homes could be revaluated to determine whether they exceeded the £2m threshold. November's Budget saw the Chancellor unveil a tax of at least £2,500 a year on homes worth more than £2m. Mr Russell has told the Treasury Select Committee that homes worth £1.5m will be revalued to determine whether they had exceeded the £2m threshold since their last valuation. 

The Daily Telegraph (14/01/2026)   The Times (14/01/2026)  

UK house prices ended 2025 just 0.6% higher than at the end of 2024 after an unexpected 0.4% fall in December, according to Nationwide. The average home price slipped to £271,068, meaning values were lower in December than in any of the previous eight months. Prices peaked in May at £273,427. Experts attributed the slowdown in December to Budget-related uncertainty, which weakened buyer confidence. Despite muted price growth, affordability improved as earnings growth outpaced house prices and mortgage rates eased, boosting first-time buyer activity above its long-term average. Nationwide forecasts that house price growth will be between 2% and 4% in 2026, with the increase driven by gradual improvements in affordability and modest interest rate declines.

City AM (03/01/2026)   Financial Times (03/01/2026)   The Standard (03/01/2026)   The Times (03/01/2026)  

UK house prices ended 2025 just 0.6% higher than at the end of 2024 after an unexpected 0.4% fall in December, according to Nationwide. The average home price slipped to £271,068, meaning values were lower in December than in any of the previous eight months. Prices peaked in May at £273,427. Experts attributed the slowdown in December to Budget-related uncertainty, which weakened buyer confidence. Despite muted price growth, affordability improved as earnings growth outpaced house prices and mortgage rates eased, boosting first-time buyer activity above its long-term average. Nationwide forecasts that house price growth will be between 2% and 4% in 2026, with the increase driven by gradual improvements in affordability and modest interest rate declines.

City AM (03/01/2026)   Financial Times (03/01/2026)   The Standard (03/01/2026)   The Times (03/01/2026)