Derbyshire County Council entered discussions with a private care provider prior to the May 2024 local elections as part of the then-Conservative administration’s plan to sell eight publicly owned care homes. These homes are located in Borrowash, Swadlincote, Eckington, Long Eaton, Ashbourne, Shirebrook, Swanwick, and Bolsover.

The previous council leadership approved the move in late 2023, citing financial pressures and the need to reshape adult social care services. The strategy was framed as part of a broader effort to make the care system more sustainable by focusing on dementia support, short-term recovery services, and hospital discharge facilitation.

Despite the political shift following the May elections, where Reform UK took control of the council, the negotiations appear to be ongoing. The incoming administration has not yet named a new leader or cabinet, and it remains unclear whether it will continue with the privatisation agenda or reverse the decision.

The proposed divestment has drawn sustained opposition from trade unions, local MPs, and community groups, with concerns about the long-term cost and impact on care quality. Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green councillors had opposed the sell-off, arguing it lacked transparency, failed to reflect demographic trends, and risked undermining care provision for vulnerable residents.

A separate plan to sell a ninth care home, Ada Belfield in Belper, also remains unresolved. Though it was approved for sale earlier this year, the facility has not yet been placed on the market. Opened in 2020 at a cost of over £11 million, the home had been earmarked for divestment due to projected financial losses.

Private equity real estate manager Clearbell Capital and its joint venture partner Deva Capital have acquired two multi-let industrial estates as part of their continued push into high-potential logistics assets across the UK.

The newly acquired sites, Glynstell Park in Cardiff and Glossop Brook Business Park in Derbyshire, expand the joint venture’s footprint in regional logistics markets. Together, they total more than 180,000 sq ft and are currently home to a combined 14 tenants.

Both acquisitions support Clearbell’s strategy of investing in assets that can be repositioned through sustainability-led upgrades and hands-on asset management. The Cardiff site, which sits on six acres near the city centre, offers potential for energy infrastructure improvements and EPC upgrades, following a previous refurbishment in 2017.

The Glossop estate, comprised of 19 units, fits into Clearbell’s approach of acquiring below-replacement-cost assets in undersupplied submarkets. A full EPC uplift across the park will improve long-term asset resilience and tenant appeal.

The move signals continued confidence in decentralised industrial hubs, particularly those with strong transport links and scope for environmental performance improvements. For B2B occupiers and investors, the focus remains on future-proofed assets that meet evolving operational and compliance needs.

Advisors on the transactions included Lewis Ellis, Cortex Partners, and Fletcher Morgan on the Cardiff deal, as well as Index Real Estate and Northcap on the Glossop acquisition.

Despite significant opposition, Leicester City Council has approved a proposal to convert a former pub in Eyres Monsell into a mosque and education centre.

The Eyres Monsell Community Foundation, which has already purchased the site, will redevelop The Glen on Hillsborough Road into a place of worship after councillors voted six to two in favour, with two abstentions. The pub has been closed since 2022.

The foundation had argued it had outgrown its current premises at the Eyres Monsell Community Centre and required a larger, dedicated facility.

Council planning officers supported the proposal, stating that parking availability was sufficient and noise impacts would be minimal. The council imposed several conditions on the approval, including restricted opening hours between 07:30 and 23:00, with some flexibility during Ramadan. Outdoor areas cannot be used for worship or events, and amplified sound is prohibited.

Public reaction was mixed: over 870 objections were submitted, and a petition opposing the project gathered 2,500 signatures. Concerns focused on noise, traffic, and parking. In contrast, 260 residents supported the scheme, with a petition in favour signed by 328 people. The facility is expected to attract 50–100 worshippers on typical weekdays, rising to about 200 on Fridays.

The decision allows the Eyres Monsell Community Foundation to proceed with restoring the vacant 1950s property to active use for religious and educational purposes.

A Grade II-listed church in central Nottingham has received planning approval to install solar panels as part of a wider sustainability initiative.

St Andrews With Castle Gate United Reformed Church, located on Goldsmith Street near Nottingham Trent University, will add four banks of photovoltaic panels to its south- and west-facing roofs.

The project is designed to enhance the energy efficiency of the historic building and lower long-term operational costs.

Nottingham City Council granted approval, with the condition that the panels visually match the existing roof tiles and be approved by planning officials prior to installation.

The development reflects a broader trend of heritage sites incorporating green energy solutions to meet environmental targets and manage energy expenses.