Docklands News

A temporary lido on east London's Royal Docks is due to open on July 23rd. Summer Splash, at the Royal Docks close to City Hall, is a free-to-use pool penned into the docks using floating platforms, and is fully staffed with lifeguards. For young families, there are kids' lessons and sandpits, while older swimmers might want to take advantage of a 'lates' DJ series, and a wood-fired Sweheat sauna. It is part of At the Docks, a full programme of arts and events, including A State of Trance music festival, and two days of free outdoor circus, dance, physical theatre and street art.

Londonist (13/06/2025)  

According to a recent survey by the HomeOwners Alliance, aspirations for home ownership in Britain have reached their lowest point in a decade, with only 64% of potential first-time buyers believing that owning a property is achievable, down from 71% last year. Rosie Hooper, a financial planner at Quilter Cheviot, remarked: "Younger people's hopes of getting on the housing ladder have been quietly chipped away as government support has faded." Key factors contributing to this decline include high stamp duty costs, difficulties in downsizing, and concerns over the leasehold system. The survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents expressed worries about stamp duty, while the availability of affordable housing remains a significant issue

The Daily Telegraph (24/05/2025)  

Gentrification and skyrocketing housing costs have been blamed for causing a decline in birth rates in London. Anna Minton, writing in The Guardian, notes a study by the Affordable Housing Commission which found that 13% of British adults under 45 have delayed or chosen not to start a family because of their housing situation. The trend for families to leave London is also pushing up house prices in areas such as Bristol, Brighton, and seaside towns along the south coast including Hastings, Eastbourne and Deal. Minton cites London residents who say the "ecosystem of the city" is getting emptier and emptier, with schools, GP surgeries, and small businesses all closing. 

The Guardian (26/05/2025)  

Nearly 469,192 homeowners who secured mortgages in 2020 are facing significant increases in their monthly payments as they transition from low fixed rates to higher standard variable rates (SVRs). The average interest rate for these fixed deals was 2.11%, but current rates exceed 4%. Homeowners with an average mortgage debt of £178,523 could see their monthly payments rise by £510, from £766 to £1,277, resulting in an annual cost of £15,319 compared to £9,195 previously. David Hollingworth, associate director at L&C Mortgages, commented: "Although many homeowners have had to deal with the payment shock of their ultra-low fixed deal ending, fixed rates have improved recently as the rate outlook has improved." Experts recommend that borrowers seek timely advice to secure new deals before the switch to avoid high SVRs. 

Daily Mail (29/05/2025)   The I (29/05/2025)  

James Daley, managing director at Fairer Finance, discusses the growing necessity of using property wealth to fund retirement, highlighting that "as many as 51% of people will need to use their housing wealth in retirement by 2040." As traditional pensions decline, owning a home is increasingly becoming a crucial asset, he claims. However, social stigma and regulatory barriers hinder this shift. Daley calls for collaboration among government and financial institutions to dismantle these barriers and promote the use of property in retirement planning. He emphasises the critical requirement for suitable retirement housing, stating that "retirement homes are in desperately short supply." By addressing these issues, the potential for increased consumer spending could exceed £20bn annually, concludes Daley.  

City AM (28/05/2025)  

The Crown Estate has taken a 50% stake in six "city-shaping" projects being developed by Lendlease, including the development of the Silvertown waterside neighbourhood, and three land plots in Stratford Cross. The other projects are based at Thamesmead Waterside, the High Road West next to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the space above and around Euston Station, and Birmingham's Smithfield Market. The projects have a combined value of up to £24bn, and have the potential to create 26,000 homes and 100,000 jobs.

Architects' Journal (19/05/2025)   The Standard (19/05/2025)