Recent Posts
Nicola Gooch
Protecting Pubs: Does removing PD Rights really protect pubs from closure?
Protecting pubs seems to be a matter of growing concern for London planning authorities and local communities. Applications to register...
22/08/16
Nicola Gooch
Consensus grows on the need for more specialist housing
Two independent reports have been published in the last four weeks that highlight the UK's increasing shortage of retirement housing. In...
17/08/16
Irwin Mitchell
IPD seismometer registers stirrings? Capital values down 2.8%
No sooner had I posted my last comment, wondering whether the Capital Economics report on rental values might need some element of...
16/08/16
Nicola Gooch
The Housing Crisis is a National Issue: levels of home ownership fall across the UK
Hidden amongst all of the political turmoil of the last few months remains one constant: We do not have enough homes in the UK. This...
02/08/16
Irwin Mitchell
Standardised toolkit helps London businesses get faster access to broadband
Getting your first business location or moving an established business is difficult. First, finding and getting the space. Then fit out....
01/08/16
Nicola Gooch
Mixed messages on major infrastructure as Hinkley Point is 'paused'
It has been an interesting week for large infrastructure projects in the UK. The decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick has...
29/07/16
Nicola Gooch
London Planning Authority accepts Brexit impact on viability of residential development
It is well recognised that the viability of any particular development can be highly sensitive to a wide range of variables. Everything ...
21/07/16
Nicola Gooch
New Commission to lead the regeneration of the Thames Estuary
Today the government will launch a new commission tasked with regenerating and reinvigorating the Thames Estuary, an area which includes...
14/07/16
Nicola Gooch
Supreme Court to reconsider meaning of "relevant policies for the supply of housing"
The Supreme Court has decided to review the Court of Appeal's judgment in Suffolk Coastal D.C. v Hopkins Homes and Richborough Estates...
12/07/16
Nicola Gooch
Theresa May promises tough action on Housing Deficit
On 11 July, Theresa May gave a campaign speech which set out her priorities as leader of the conservative party and prime minister elect....
12/07/16
Irwin Mitchell
A Zero Sum game?
If life is a "zero sum game", then this does not explain how economic growth happens. Some will tell you that this is only because what...
11/07/16
Nicola Gooch
Select Committee launches inquiry into UK housebuilding capacity
On 5 July 2016, the Communities and Local Government Select Committee launched a new inquiry into the housebuilding industry. In...
08/07/16
Nicola Gooch
Planning in (and for) the Aftermath of the EU Referendum
Regardless of your views about last week's vote, it is fair to say that the result has made everything seem more complicated and less...
27/06/16
Nicola Gooch
DCLG needs you... to build a Garden Village.
DCLG has issued a prospectus setting out how they can support local areas in the delivery of new housing. They are seeking expressions of...
22/06/16
Irwin Mitchell
What do Lenders know? Debt finance for Property.
Interestingly, two sources seem to show a slowdown in traditional debt finance for Property. First, Saving Stream reports that Bank...
22/06/16
Irwin Mitchell
Government publishes proposals for revised Electronic Communications Code- Landlords beware!
Last month the Government published proposals for a revised electronic communications code. The key points that Landlords should be...
14/06/16
Nicola Gooch
Planning: A New Era of Government Intervention?
The 2010 election of the coalition government was, in hindsight, a significant moment for the planning system. Over the parliament that...
13/06/16
Irwin Mitchell
Ignoring polite notices counts as force under English law
In a reassuring vindication of British values the Court of Appeal has confirmed that ignoring a clearly worded, clearly visible sign is...
08/06/16
Nicola Gooch
CIL Review Panel Report likely to be published after the referendum
There is little point in hiding the fact that I have 'robust' views about the Community Infrastructure Levy. Having spent the last few...
08/06/16
Nicola Gooch
Housing and Planning Act 2016 - implications for planning
The Housing and Planning Act gained royal assent on 12 May 2016. Once it is fully in force, the Act will give DCLG extensive new powers...
25/05/16
Nicola Gooch
National Planning Guidance on Small Sites exemption is officially re-instated
DCLG has now reinstated the Planning Practice Guidance that gives effect to the Small Sites exemption; which was declared lawful by the...
20/05/16
Nicola Gooch
Government confirms that a permitted development right to demolish offices and rebuild as residential is still on the agenda
Given its reputation, Friday the 13th is an unusual date on which to release news. It is, however, the date on which DCLG chose to...
19/05/16
Nicola Gooch
Housing & Planning Bill to receive Royal Assent Today
Yesterday the House of Commons and the House of Lords managed to agree on the final text of the Housing & Planning Bill, with the Lords...
12/05/16
Nicola Gooch
Court of Appeal declares Small Sites Exemption Lawful
The Court of Appeal has just ruled that the Small Sites Exemption, introduced by Ministers in November 2014, is lawful. In so doing, they...
11/05/16
Nicola Gooch
The Battle of the Houses: Government to oppose House of Lords' amendments to Housing & Planning Bill
The Housing and Planning Bill looks set to enter its most contentious phase of passage yet, with Greg Clark signalling that the House of...
04/05/16
Irwin Mitchell
Five points for Investment Managers and Corporate Property Advisers from the EMI Case
It is not often in property law that we are told that things are “void” without there being either some element of moral or financial...
27/04/16
Nicola Gooch
House of Lords make yet more amendments to Housing and Planning Bill
Whilst the Housing and Planning Bill made it through the House of Commons almost unscathed, its time in the House of Lords has been...
27/04/16
Nicola Gooch
Cheshire East seeks Supreme Court review of 'Policies for the Supply of Housing' Judgment
Cheshire East Council is seeking permission from the Supreme Court to appeal the Court of Appeal's Judgment in Suffolk Coastal District...
19/04/16
Nicola Gooch
House of Lords amend key starter homes provisions in Housing & Planning Bill
Yesterday was not a good day for the Department of Communities and Local Government, as they suffered two key defeats over the Housing...
12/04/16
Irwin Mitchell
Charities and Social Investment
At last, charities have had their powers extended to clarify what was an ambiguous area, allowing them, subject to safeguards, to make...
11/04/16