Policy
Superblocks: Barcelona’s car-free zones could extend lives and boost mental health
An urban planning idea from Catalonia is reclaiming city streets from cars, and delivering considerable long-term benefits for residents and visitors alike. Anupam Nanda explains how...
Housing Minister Esther McVey’s first speech, in full
"You don’t come into politics as a woman to do ‘housework’," said the ninth Housing Minister in nine years, in an oddly-judged riff during her maiden public address, "but when the Prime Minister…
50 years on: Why don’t local people have a greater say in their neighbourhoods?
There have been lots of planning policy overhauls since 1969, when the Government's Skeffington Report suggested 50 ways to get communities more involved in local property development matters.
Developers contribute £6bn a year to community infrastructure projects
New CIL reforms mean local councils now have to declare developers' contributions and how levies are spent
‘We need to clamp down on buy-to-leave by charging a levy on second homes’ – Corbyn
Labour leader calls for crackdown on an empty homes loophole
Twists and turns ahead for the PCL market this autumn
Knightsbridge agent Patrick Alvarado summarises the key issues likely to affect things in the run-up to Halloween/Brexit Day #2...
On the demise of the leasehold portfolio
Recent consultations and proposed reforms are likely to have a significant impact on investment decisions around what used to be an attractive asset class for institutional investors and pension funds,…
Javid sets ‘stunt budget’ date; Johnson moves to shut down Parliament
Chancellor Sajid Javid will present a "fast-tracked Spending Round" - which Labour has called a "panic-driven stunt budget" - on Wednesday 4th September, fuelling anticipation of an imminent General Election.
Robert Jenrick: Housing is my generation’s greatest challenge
Writing in The Times, the newly-appointed secretary of state for housing, communities and local government (and officially the cabinet's first millennial) promises to "level up" efforts to increase home…
‘More must be done in the immediate’ to improve the PRS – RICS
Surveyors call for an overhaul of the private rented sector, in advance of Lord Best's ROPA
A delicate balancing act: Lucian Cook presents the case for Stamp Duty reform
There's been a lot of talk about Stamp Duty switches and tinkering in recent weeks - amped-up by some mixed-messaging from the Chancellor over the weekend.
Chancellor announces £600m housing boost
New funding will "unlock" five development sites in London, Central Bedfordshire and Essex by enabling infrastructure works