Almost 3,000 homes across Bradford are set to benefit from significant investment over the next three years. Housing provider Incommunities is investing £17.5m, with a further £16.2m from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Warm Homes Fund – Wave 3, to improve 2,886 homes. Working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and other housing providers, the programme will make social homes across West Yorkshire warmer and more energy efficient. Speaking about the investment, Graeme Scott, executive director of development & property at Incommunities, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our investment programme with this next stage of substantial work in the homes we provide for our customers. “We’re taking a fabric-first approach in our work, meaning that the thermal efficiency of the structure of the homes is improved ahead of other enhancements. This ‘whole house’ approach ensures that improvements are holistic and sustainable, addressing insulation, ventilation, heating systems, and more – with the aim of delivering lasting benefits. “These types of improvements don’t just help to reduce carbon emissions by taking homes to an EPC C rating; they also help address fuel poverty and can be transformational for people’s lives.” Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Homes in West Yorkshire are colder and older than in other parts of the country, and that needs to change. By making homes warmer to live in and cheaper to run, we’ll put more money in people’s pockets and help them live happier, healthier lives.” The housing provider has appointed specialist retrofitting consultants Green Gnomes Ltd to assess homes ahead of work starting. This information is being overlaid with internal insight from the provider’s Damp & Mould team, as well as complaints and anti-social behaviour data, to give a rounded picture of the focus and priorities. The work will then be carried out by the decarbonisation team from Connolly Ltd. The comprehensive retrofit measures they will deliver are designed to meet the rigorous PAS 2035 standards.

North East Lincolnshire Council is set to implement a selective licensing scheme in parts of Grimsby’s East Marsh to improve housing conditions and address deprivation. The scheme will require landlords to pay a licence fee and meet defined property standards.

The programme will cover the area from Durban Road to part of the A180 Cleethorpe Road and from Victor Street to Park Street. Cooper Road, Fairmont Road, and Columbia Road have been removed following consultation. East Marsh ranks among the top 1% of most deprived wards nationally.

Fees for the scheme are proposed at between £899 and £1,284 over a five‑year period, with a 10% discount for landlords who apply early. Fees will be higher for late applications, but the programme is not expected to generate additional revenue. Landlords will also be required to take reasonable steps to prevent anti‑social behaviour in their properties.

The council plans to launch the scheme within six months. A similar selective licensing initiative is due to start in parts of Scunthorpe shortly.

The policy aims to improve the quality and safety of private rental housing. Some industry groups have raised concerns that the measures could place a financial burden on compliant landlords while having a limited impact on non‑compliant or criminal operators.

Lidl is expanding its UK logistics network with two major warehouse projects, collectively valued at £435 million. The retailer has completed a £285 million expansion at its Belvedere site in London, tripling capacity and enabling the facility to supply around 120 stores. Concurrently, construction has started on a new £150 million warehouse in Leeds.

The developments are expected to generate more than 500 jobs across both locations, with around 120 positions in London and 400 in Leeds. Lidl currently operates over 980 stores and 14 distribution centres across England, Scotland, and Wales, alongside a broader European network.

The chain ranks as the sixth largest grocery retailer in the UK and continues to narrow the gap with Morrisons, according to Kantar data. The expansion underlines Lidl’s focus on strengthening supply chains and scaling its distribution capabilities to meet growing demand in the UK market.

Plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport may not see passenger flights operating until 2028, according to updated timelines from South Yorkshire authorities. The £150 million redevelopment project, awaiting approval next month, had previously targeted a 2026 launch for commercial flights.

The airport, closed in 2022 by former owners Peel after sustained financial losses, would be operated by a council-owned company if local devolution funds are released. Revised projections indicate that full passenger operations could take several years beyond the initial estimates, reflecting the scale of investment and regulatory approvals required.

The delay highlights ongoing challenges in regional airport redevelopment, including infrastructure upgrades, commercial viability, and securing operational funding. Local business leaders have been briefed on the new timetable, which positions the airport’s commercial relaunch as a medium-term economic development initiative rather than an immediate boost to air travel connectivity.