Policy
Right to Supply: Why Help to Buy isn’t the answer
The Help to Buy Scheme may be a brave effort, says Trevor Abrahmsohn, but the Government needs to deal with the banks and the planners if it really wants to provoke a healthier property market...
Does London’s property market need foreign buyers?
London's resi development pipeline is likely to pump an extra £8bn into the UK economy, according to some research by London Central Portfolio.
Resi land values on the rise
Resi land values in prime central London shot up by 4% in Q2, whilst prices across the UK rose by an average of 1.2%, according to Knight Frank today. This means that average UK values have risen by 1.
New Building Regs tackle carbon emissions, but may penalise smaller developers
The newly-toughened-up Part L of the Building Regulations has some very noble aims to tackle climate change by making new-build homes significantly more energy efficient.
Lobby Talk: Why a stubborn Government breeds corruption
Amoral lobbying is just a symptom of a broken consultation system, says London Central Portfolio's Naomi Heaton after an eye-opening experience on the Ensuring the Fair Taxation of Residential Property…
Westminster mulls office-to-resi conversion tax
There's talk of a tax on office-to-resi conversions in Westminster, as the Council tries to maintain its 10-year principle of a "fine grain" level of mixed use buildings.
CBRE urges for planning clarity please, Mr Boles
CBRE's Head of Planning Stuart Robinson has penned a lengthy letter to Planning Minister Nick Boles, urging the MP to provide some clarity on the permitted development rights (PDRs) in relation to offices…
Should Welsh stamp duty be devolved?
The Government is going to consult on the devolution of SDLT to the National Assembly for Wales, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has told Parliament.
Private Rented Sector needs help to “edge its way towards maturity”
The private rented sector needs a bit of help to "edge its way towards maturity", according to a new report by the Communities and Local Government Committee.
Tories call for Stamp Duty switcheroo
A bunch of Tories have published a pamphlet that calls for stamp duty to be paid by vendors, not buyers.
Scotland’s stamp duty revolution could catch on…
It's possible - likely, even - that the whole UK stamp duty system will be overhauled in the wake of Scottish changes to the system, claims The Telegraph.
Call to arms as CPRE unveils charter to stop destruction of the English countryside
The Campaign to Protect Rural England has today launched a three-point charter to save Britain's countryside.