Policy
Listed Property Owners go lobbying
The Listed Property Owners’ Club (LPOC) is upping the ante in its bid for better terms - mainly cut-price VAT on building repairs - for owners of listed homes.
Hollande rent caps blamed for construction ‘meltdown’ in France
Francois Hollande's government is again under fire for meddling in the housing market, after figures released yesterday revealed that the French construction market is at its lowest ebb for 15 years.
South Ken basement developers rapped over traffic jams
Three separate basement digs in South Kensington have been threatened with shutdown by RBKC planners over traffic disruption.
Ale House Stock: When public houses become private mansions
The £27m sale of the Black Lion pub in Kensington has once again turned the spotlight onto change of use, but converting a pub into prime resi is no easy task, says Rachel Lee...
Property industry ‘right to be worried’ about short let proposals
In a couple of months, the Government will consider plans to withdraw the need to apply for planning permission currently required to let out a residential property for a period of less than ninety days
12 policy amendments that could ‘realise the power of heritage’
The Heritage Alliance has called for a series of specific policy measures to "realise the power of heritage" in its 2014/15 Manifesto
Relationship Building: How LPAs and developers (should) work togethor
Fair society think tank The Smith Institute has been looking at the interplay between local planning authorities (LPAs) and property developers with the aim of finding out what can be done to boost housing …
Rights to Light: Landscape improves for developers
Developers "should be less fearful of going to court" over rights to light - as long as they have acted in a reasonable and responsible way - concludes a panel of experts assembled by Mishcon de Reya to…
Love Thy Neighbour: Residential property development and the law of nuisance
From encroachment to physical damage, building work can affect a neighbouring property in a whole host of different ways. C
68% of LPAs to miss April’s CIL charge date; ‘a significant impact on the delivery of housing’ likely
68% of local planning authorities won't have a CIL charge in place by the time Section 106 restrictions come in in April 2015, say Savills and the Federation of Master Builders
King’s Road scheme blocked over affordable housing provision
The Planning Inspectorate has upheld a decision to refuse permission for a new scheme in Chelsea, on the grounds that it didn't provide enough affordable housing.
Capital Gains Tax for non-residents: ‘There are better ways’
"The Inland Revenue has not thought through the intricacies and practicalities of implementing " says Mishcon de Reya's Andrew Goldstone in the law firm's response to the Government's CGT consultation.