Planning reforms ‘are damaging countryside’
18th March 2013
Communities are “increasingly powerless” against damaging development plans in the countryside and on Green Belt land, campaigners warn. T...
Chancel Repair Liability (and other overriding interests) from 13 October 2013
08th March 2013
From 13 October 2013, chancel repair liability and certain other overriding interests will cease to have overriding interest status. This draws to an ...
Office to residential conversions
28th February 2013
On 24 January 2013, the government proposed a three year extension to permitted development rights, to allow change of use from B1(a) offices to C3 re...
Don’t forget, when you buy or lease a property
15th February 2013
When you buy or lease a property, do not forget to tell your surveyor to check not only the bricks and mortar but also:- the mechanical and electrical...
“It’s not my fault” may not be enough
15th February 2013
A recent case* has highlighted the need for all property owners and occupiers to ensure their insurance is up to date, adequate and valid. The fact th...
15th February 2013
The protracted economic recession has resulted in many business failures, with the retail sector being particularly hard hit. Familiar high street n...
Council reveals Ealing estate makeover
04th February 2013
Ealing Council has unveiled plans to redevelop the troubled Sherwood Close Estate in an effort to eradicate anti-social behaviour from the area. Counc...
Soane’s retreat set to be restored
21st January 2013
The 1800s country home of one of the UK’s most famous architects is due to be returned to its former glory with extensive renovation work. The...
Cranford ‘green lung’ to breathe new life
28th December 2012
The future of one of west London’s best-loved open spaces will be in local residents’ hands in the new year. Hillingdon borough’s Cr...
Rental demand ‘still climbing’
30th November 2012
More people are choosing to rent than in previous months, with demand rising by more than 15% in the third quarter, according to the latest figures. A...
Councils ‘will keep planning power’
14th November 2012
Local authorities will still be able to stop developments despite moves by the Government to make it easier for owners to extend their homes. The Gove...
Government sets out HS2 compensation
26th October 2012
Residents affected by the London-Birmingham HS2 high-speed rail project will receive compensation measures that go “significantly beyond statutory r...
Planners could block extension plan
12th October 2012
Government plans to temporarily relax rules on home extensions could be blocked by town hall planners, according to the Local Government Association (...
West London development behind schedule
19th April 2012
The developer behind one of the UK’s biggest housing and community projects has admitted to falling behind its targets, according to official report...
HS2 survey payments for landowners
03rd February 2012
A deal has been struck that will see people who own land on the proposed HS2 route offered cash to allow inspections to be carried out. The agreement ...
Shapps to identify land for 100,000 homes
02nd February 2012
The Government is working with organisations including the BBC and Royal Mail to identify additional unused sites that could be earmarked for housebui...
Shared social housing scheme in London
13th January 2012
London-based workers will soon be able to rent sub-market accommodation in the capital as part of a new council scheme, it has been revealed. Westmi...
27th January 2011
There are some legal cases which when you hear about send the imagination into overdrive. All you can do is ask questions, ponder outcomes and remind ...
Energy Secretary unveils green deal
09th December 2010
The Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has announced a bid to make people’s homes greener and create thousands of jobs. The green deal will allow hou...
Service Charges – Was City Heights wrongly decided?
28th October 2010
Leaseholders of a residential development in Nottingham known as City Height, and Solitaire Property Management Limited (“Solitaire”) appl...
No cash for Chelsea Barracks group
25th June 2010
Property developer Christian Candy will not receive any money after a High Court judge ruled on his multimillion-pound claim over the Chelsea Barracks...
Plans ‘axed to promote racial mix’
23rd June 2010
Judges at the Court of Appeal have rejected a planning application in north London that would have seen the demolition of homes and an indoor market b...
Hammerson snaps up Leadenhall Court
11th June 2010
London office building Leadenhall Court has been purchased by property company Hammerson in a deal worth £65 million. Located on the corner of Gracec...
Law change plan to stop ‘garden grabbing’
09th June 2010
Councils are to get new powers to stop developers “garden grabbing” and building houses on green space. Local authorities have struggled t...