The decision comes as the local authority brought in Wates to complete the construction of Phase 2b the Britannia masterplan after the original developer, Ardmore, went into administration in June. Ardmore has since revealed that several group companies will be wound down. Hackney Council has reduced its gross capital spending programme from £602m to £502m after delays to construction projects, including the stalled Britannia regeneration scheme. The cabinet approved plans to defer £281m of capital spending into budgets for future years, including moving £188.2m from 2025-26 into spending plans for 2026-27, of which £65m relates to housing. Read more Green candidate for Hackney mayor: affordable homes target cut came as surprise to London councils Hackney Council contracts house builder to replace collapsed Ardmore and complete Britannia masterplan Hackney Council homes lack electricity safety certificates two years after regulator referral In addition to the collapse of Ardmore, a report presented to the cabinet this month highlighted delays to the start of estate regeneration, housing supply and new homes projects. Ardmore had been awarded a contract in July 2023 to deliver 51 homes for social rent, 30 for shared ownership and 290 for sale. The social rent homes are intended to rehouse some households from the Colville Estate whose homes are due to be demolished as part of the regeneration programme. However, the project was already facing cost pressures before Ardmore’s collapse. Britannia Phase 2b was approved with a £153.9m contract in 2023, but the council said its cost was now likely to exceed the current approved budget of £196.875m (27.9% higher) before costs could be recovered. A revised budget was approved, but the figure has not been made public. Hackney Council approached 14 contractors about completing the work, but firms were reluctant to take over the abandoned project because of the risks involved. Ardmore went into administration in June following a High Court ruling in a separate case over cladding issues at Admiralty Quarter, a 19-building development in Portsmouth. The Technology and Construction Court ruled that seven companies associated with Ardmore Construction Ltd could be held jointly liable for about £14.9m owed to developer Crest Nicholson under an adjudicator’s decision. Ardmore continues to dispute the claims. Hackney Council said this ruling was unrelated to the Britannia project. The local authority appointed Wates under a pre-construction services agreement in August. A main contract has yet to be announced, but Hackney hopes work will restart either this month or November. The council said it is in communication with people expecting to move into the homes, project suppliers and other stakeholders. The report also found that construction and tendering had been pushed back because of delays to scoping designs, feasibility studies and condition surveys such as fire risk assessments. Changes to government policy on special educational needs and disabilities and failed acquisitions of homes also contributed to delayed spending, the report found. Sign up to Inside Housing’s Council Focus newsletter Sign up to Inside Housing’s weekly Council Focus newsletter, featuring the latest affordable housing news focused on local authorities delivered to your inbox. Already have an account? Click here to manage your newsletters. Click here to register and sign up for the newsletter Sign up to the Housing Investment & Delivery Symposium 2026 Join 500+ senior leaders from government, Homes England, combined authorities, local authorities, investors, developers, house builders and housing associations at the Housing Investment & Delivery Symposium and co-located Equity in Housing Summit on 25 November in London. With every combined authority and strategic region represented, the event brings together the people, capital and partnerships shaping where housing investment flows and where the next opportunities for delivery will emerge. Book your place today ContractorDevelopmentFinanceFundingGovernment agency/department/organisationLocal AuthorityLondonPolicyRegeneration Linked In Twitter Facebook eCard Add New Comment You must be logged in to comment. 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Reported via mobile in the Highways Obstructions category anonymously at 13:40, Saturday 3 October 2026

Sent to Hackney Council less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 10187716.