This week’s briefing covers two major scheme approvals, a stalled estate cleared to restart, a contractor reporting record revenue, and survey findings on landlord deposit alternatives.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
- York Central has received planning approval for a £2bn, mixed-use scheme including more than 1,000 homes.
- Lambeth councillors approved the Vauxhall Square masterplan, including three towers and 1,097 homes.
- Ealing Council has approved arrangements allowing Higgins to restart the final phase of the Green Man Lane regeneration.
- OCU Group reported revenue of £1.22bn for the year to April 2026.
- Research suggests over one million landlords could move to deposit alternatives if insured schemes are abolished.
PLANNING & REGULATION
York Central wins approval
The City of York Council has approved the York Central scheme, a partnership between McLaren Regeneration and Arlington Real Estate. The project is described as a £2bn development that would deliver more than 1,000 homes alongside a hotel, innovation hub, retail and leisure space, and has drawn public comment from ministers, according to The Construction Index.
Vauxhall Square trio approved
Lambeth councillors have backed plans for Vauxhall Square, a multi-plot masterplan that includes three towers rising to 69, 61 and 61 storeys as part of a seven-building scheme. The approved proposals would provide 1,097 homes plus 1,164 co-living units and 699 student bedrooms, together with hotel, office and leisure space. Decision details note the approval remains subject to a section 106 agreement and referral to the Mayor of London, as reported by Construction Enquirer.
BUILD COSTS & CONSTRUCTION
Higgins cleared to restart Green Man Lane
Ealing Council’s cabinet approved changes that allow Higgins Partnerships to take responsibility for completing the final phase of the long-running Green Man Lane regeneration in West Ealing. The decision follows a pause in 2023 when contractor REAL entered administration. The remaining phase would deliver around 400 homes and, according to Construction Enquirer, work can restart this year subject to design approvals. The wider estate has already delivered more than 500 mixed-tenure homes and community facilities.
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE & MARKET CONDITIONS
OCU passes £1bn revenue barrier
OCU Group reported revenue of £1.22bn for the year to April 2026, a 38% increase from the prior year, and said adjusted operating profit rose 38% to £136m, hitting a margin of 12.6%. The group ended the year with about £140m cash and an order book above £4bn. OCU attributed growth to investment across power, utilities and digital infrastructure and reported continued acquisition activity and expansion of engineering capability, according to Construction Enquirer.
LANDLORDS & INVESTORS
One million landlords may use deposit alternatives
Research by Zero Deposit, reported by Property118, suggests more than one million landlords could adopt tenant deposit alternatives if government plans to remove insured tenancy deposit schemes proceed. The survey found 9% of landlords would move directly to a deposit alternative, a figure the research translates into about 266,736 landlords, while a further 26% said their decision would depend on tenant preference, potentially adding another 755,751 landlords. The survey also found two-thirds of respondents would opt for custodial tenancy deposit schemes.
Until next week
PDBC