Policy
RBKC publishes basement findings
With RBKC's draft policy on basement development now safely in the hands of the Secretary of State, the Royal Borough has published the findings from its lengthy publication consultation, including the…
Westminster Labour pledges to ‘outlaw’ mega-basements & tighten affordable housing rules
Labour Councillors in Westminster have come out swinging ahead of this month's local elections, claiming that the Conservatives are "killing" its communities by granting planning for "huge numbers of luxury…
Empty Promise: Labour pledges crackdown on London’s ‘ghost homes’
Ed Miliband has been getting even more animated than normal over the capital's so-called 'ghost homes', accusing many boroughs of “shrugging their shoulders" by not imposing the Empty Homes Premium.
Not on the High Street: The private money funding London’s prime resi developments
Residential property is not the only thing in short supply in prime central London – the funding needed to develop new stock is equally hard to get hold of, says James Dakin...
Do we really need the Mortgage Market Review?
The clumsy hand of government has to be very careful when it interferes in the dynamics of markets, says Trevor Abrahmsohn...
Lend or Foe: How will the MMR affect High Net Worth borrowers?
The mortgage market gets a new set of rules at the end of the month: expect some teething problems and stressful work for lenders and intermediaries, says Islay Robinson, but the Mortgage Market Review also…
Letting redress schemes get compulsory
The Housing Minister Kris Hopkins has decreed that all letting and property management agents will be required to join an approved redress scheme later this year.
Council Tax Band Rejig: The acceptable Mansion Tax alternative?
Trevor Abrahmsohn sees this juggernaut hurtling towards the abyss...
Change of Usefulness: Is the planning system finally about to speed up?
Will the latest batch of planning reforms kick-start conversions or leave developers still kicking their heels, asks Rachel Lee...
Cashier buyers only?
Required Reading: The HS2 Discretionary Compensation Package
Details of a new discretionary compensation package for property owners affected by the HS2 rail link between London and Birmingham were released by the government this week.
London’s skyline ‘trashed’ by wave of resi towers – Rees
The London skyline is being "trashed" by the wave of residential towers currently shooting up in between Vauxhall and Whitechapel, according to former City planning chief Peter Rees (the chap who incidentally…
New Plans for Old: Renovation job for listed building system
The system for listed building consents is getting an overhaul, with the aim of creating a 'more effective and efficient' process with less bureaucracy and generally lower costs.