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Council leaders warn of ‘infrastructure crisis’ that will also affect green energy schemes and hinder growthHousing projects are being delayed for years because of an “infra­structure crisis” caused by lack of capacity in the National Grid, council leaders have warned.Building schemes for thousands of homes are on hold, while new ­projects face delays of up to four years in some parts of the UK...

Watchdog says there is need for ‘significant intervention’ over supply and quality of new homesBusiness live – latest coverageThe UK competition watchdog has opened an investigation into eight housebuilders after evidence they may be sharing commercially sensitive information.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched the investigation amid concerns it could be affecting the development of sites and prices of new homes. Continue reading...

Companies reach agreement over all-share offer and combined group will have turnover of more than £7bnBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s biggest housebuilder, Barratt, is planning to buy the rival Redrow in a deal worth more than £2.5bn.An update to the market this morning revealed the two companies had reached an agreement over an all-share offer from Barratt, which will result in it cementing...

Asbestos-like fragments found at newly-opened Regatta Park in Emu Plains sent for urgent testing, Penrith city council saysPenrith council has closed part of a park in western Sydney over fears it could contain asbestos-contaminated garden mulch from the same company that supplied the product used at Rozelle parklands.Penrith city council says the newly opened Regatta Park at Emu Plains in the city’s west was...

Exclusive: Greenlife Resource Recovery co-director says company is cooperating with environmental watchdog’s garden mulch investigationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe construction boss who runs the company that supplied garden mulch containing asbestos to Sydney’s Rozelle parklands says an explanation for the contamination will “come out in due course” as...

Deal suggested by NSW building commissioner comes after residents were forced to evacuate in 2019Owners of apartments in Sydney’s Mascot Towers may reach a potential settlement to clear massive debts for the first time since being forced to evacuate their units due to defects.The New South Wales building commissioner, David Chandler, has offered a lifeline to residents of the buildings, in the city’s inner-south,...