Estates Gazette’s must reads: 9-13 June

Here’s a wrap-up of some of the top stories on Estates Gazette from the past week. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a £39bn commitment to a new Affordable Homes Programme, stretching from 2026 to 2036, as part of the Spending Review. Framed by the government as “the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation”, this decadal pledge aims to turbo-charge Britain’s housing supply, support housing associations and councils, and edge closer to the manifesto goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2030.Spending Review: Labour’s £39bn affordable homes pledge unveiled Westminster Council and the Westminster Property Association have called for a change in the rules around Community Infrastructure Levy payments so councils can use the funds to invest in affordable housing.Westminster and WPA call for CIL to be used to deliver affordable housing Bedford Estates has submitted a change of use application to enable it to use its Grade I listed office asset on Bedford Square for educational uses, following an unsuccessful marketing campaign which has left the office vacant since July 2022.Bedford Estates eyes burgeoning educational demand with change of use bid Next month, during Wimbledon fortnight, residents’ group Save Wimbledon Park will meet the All England Lawn Tennis Club at the High Court in London, where lawyers for the residents will attempt to overturn planning permission for the club’s expansion. And an even more important court case that could decide the future of land that once belonged to Wimbledon Park Golf Club has been scheduled for January 2026.Wimbledon expansion battle set for January rematch Real estate investors are being presented with the chance grab a slice of £4.2bn-worth of development projects across the East of England in an initiative that a local MP hopes will be “the first chapter” in a new story for the region.Investors sought for £4.2bn of East of England real estate projects Other stories not to miss: Johnny Caddick on the future of BTR: Flexibility, data and opportunityBeyond funding: What UK regional innovators need to unlock growthCadogan boss on a ‘patient, consistent, tenacious’ curation of communitiesUBE head says real estate must unite to tell the right storyIncipio secures four new restaurants to join £1.3bn Kensington Olympia revampKnight Frank announces 170 UK promotionsNod for more labs at Wellcome Genome CampusReal estate needs to see a long-term strategy – pound signs without a plan won’t doBill Post: US Goliath uses gs8 to sling challenge to housebuildersDiary: Padel is the new golf… and Estates Gazette’s resident runner