Bridget OConnell

FTSE 250 developer Capital & Counties could tear up plans to demolish two council estates as a wind of change blows through the property world.

The chief executive will lay out her position at the company’s full-year results on Wednesday and is understood to believe a split is a case of “when, not if”.

In Westminster, amid a growing row about the influence of property developers, next month’s local elections are starting to look a bit tight for the Tories.

Round-up of today’s top property stories with quick links to the nationals.

The Office for National Statistics said that retail sales volumes fell 1.2% in March compared with February.

A substantial number of House of Fraser’s 59 stores could be shut down, threatening hundreds of jobs.

Debenhams posts a “disappointing” first-half performance with profits plunging by nearly 84%.

Sterling falls after warning about ‘softer’ data.

A skyscraper that can be folded up and moved to a disaster zone has won first prize in the annual Evolo competition, run by an American architecture magazine.

The housing secretary’s comments follow an investigation by The Times which found that Bovis Homes was misleading buyers and delaying essential repairs to poorly built properties. 

Telford reports that a lack of housing supply in London will boost its revenue and profits to record levels this year.