Construction’s tale of two quarters

The latest data release from the ONS, published today, shows that construction output rose 0.9% in the second quarter. This follows a 0.8% fall in Q1, in which activity was disrupted by severe weather conditions. Compared to a year earlier,... View Article

Blog: A brave new (planning) world?

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s policies for planning and directs local authorities on matters around granting permission for developments. Sam Dewar, a planning expert and director of DPA Planning, gives his assessment of a... View Article

Venting an idea for UK hot spells

With the heat wave set to continue, James Parker examines whether UK homes need air conditioning to help cope with the heat. It can’t have escaped your notice that we have just been through one of the longest hot spells... View Article

Reform of land registration to stem property fraud

The Law Commission has announced its proposals to reform the system of land registration to bring it up-to-date with the modern world, and stem the rise of property fraud. The commission says that the Land Registry has had to make... View Article

Womble Bond Dickinson comments on the revised NPPF

The new revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF) was delivered and came into force on 24 July 2018. The Government’s response to the consultation on the revised framework notes that it has made a number of important changes in response... View Article

RICS makes an initial response to revised NPPF

Tony Mulhall, RICS Associate Director: The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) attempts to give greater clarity to the planning process, and aims to clarify planning burdens earlier in the process rather than during applications... View Article

RIBA responds to revised National Planning Policy Framework

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) makes an initial response to the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by the Government yesterday, 24 July 2018. RIBA President Ben Derbyshire says: “The RIBA’s welcomes the publication of the revised National... View Article

Reaction to revised NPPF from law firm TLT

Katherine Evans, Partner and Head of Planning, commented: “There are a lot of changes to the revised NPPF in the government’s responses. “Looking at paragraph 67, it appears that “small sites” have changed to “small and medium sized sites” and... View Article

Assael Architecture welcomes revised NPPF

Award-winning London-based architecture practice Assael has welcomed the government’s revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that look to guarantee that new homes coming forward are designed to a high standard. Felicie Kirkler, director at Assael, said: “We welcome... View Article

Comment on the latest Equity Release Council figures

The latest Equity Release Council figures show that lending in Q2 2018 is close to £1bn. Steve Wilkie, managing director of Responsible Equity Release, comments: “It’s staggering to think that seven years on, an industry that lent less than £200m in... View Article

London housebuilders selling to BTR investors ‘not a surprise’

Property expert Jean-Marc Vandevivere said research by data firm Molior London showing house-builders off-loading stock in the capital to build-to-rent (BTR) investors and housing associations “should not come as a surprise” given the weakening demand from would-be buyers. Vandevivere, former head of... View Article

NPPF: Where now for planning?

On the eve of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) being adopted, Sam Dewar, director at DPA Planning, who believes planning has become too impersonal and systematic, considers what’s likely to be included. The NPPF changes aim to... View Article

A call for consistency

James Thomson, CEO of Keepmoat Homes, discusses the urgent need for consistency of policy to support the UK housing market. Aunified approach to housing policy is essential if we are to continue to see an increase in housebuilding in line... View Article