28 Mar, 2018

Both the working day and the working environment are ever evolving concepts. Vail Williams partner David Thomas discusses where work is going. The working day has changed considerably in the last 30 years. From getting into your Ford Escort to travel to work for your 9-5 job, surrounded by rows of typing pools and telex machines in your naturally ventilated office, to travelling to work in cars that have more technology than the average computer had 20 years ago! Nowadays, our agile,

13 Mar, 2018

There are just days left before the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) start to come into effect. Vail Williams partner, David Castle, explains how this affects the interested parties in a property, from landlord to tenant - and even some of those less directly involved. If you haven’t already heard about MEES here's some information about what they are, what to do to prepare for them, and by when.   The new standards will directly affect tenants, landlords, investors and developers, as

07 Mar, 2018

Nigel Hewitson, planning partner at BrookStreet des Roches, weighs up whether prime minister Theresa May's comments about developers during her March 5 speech on the planning reforms were entirely justified. We are regularly told that, as a country, we are not building enough homes. There is widespread acceptance that, to meet demand, the UK needs to build about 300,000 new homes a year. Yet for years we have built, at best, half that number. The result is ever higher property prices which

06 Mar, 2018

Steve Head, business space partner at Hicks Baker, describes deals which have defied the trend for Permitted Development.   Despite recent changes in the tax regime, designed to dampen aspects of the buy-to-let residential market, there has been no tailing off of demand for the conversion of existing office buildings to residential under Permitted Development (PD) Rights. However, as a number of recent deals transacted by Hicks Baker illustrate, the change of use to residential is not

28 Mar, 2018

Both the working day and the working environment are ever evolving concepts. Vail Williams partner David Thomas discusses where work is going. The working day has changed considerably in the last 30 years. From getting into your Ford Escort to travel to work for your 9-5 job, surrounded by rows of typing pools and telex machines in your naturally ventilated office, to travelling to work in cars that have more technology than the average computer had 20 years ago! Nowadays, our agile,

13 Mar, 2018

There are just days left before the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) start to come into effect. Vail Williams partner, David Castle, explains how this affects the interested parties in a property, from landlord to tenant - and even some of those less directly involved. If you haven’t already heard about MEES here's some information about what they are, what to do to prepare for them, and by when.   The new standards will directly affect tenants, landlords, investors and developers, as

07 Mar, 2018

Nigel Hewitson, planning partner at BrookStreet des Roches, weighs up whether prime minister Theresa May's comments about developers during her March 5 speech on the planning reforms were entirely justified. We are regularly told that, as a country, we are not building enough homes. There is widespread acceptance that, to meet demand, the UK needs to build about 300,000 new homes a year. Yet for years we have built, at best, half that number. The result is ever higher property prices which

06 Mar, 2018

Steve Head, business space partner at Hicks Baker, describes deals which have defied the trend for Permitted Development.   Despite recent changes in the tax regime, designed to dampen aspects of the buy-to-let residential market, there has been no tailing off of demand for the conversion of existing office buildings to residential under Permitted Development (PD) Rights. However, as a number of recent deals transacted by Hicks Baker illustrate, the change of use to residential is not

27 Feb, 2018

Linda Staker, business rates partner at Vail Williams, illustrates why it is more important than ever to know what businesses can do about minimising what they need to pay.   According to statistics published by Government in December, the number of business rates ‘checks’ lodged by Thames Valley businesses have dropped by a huge 97 per cent, compared with the previous revaluation in 2010. Despite boasting some of the country’s leading organisations, businesses in the Thames Valley are failing

23 Feb, 2018

Jamie Barton, partner for real estate at BrookStreet des Roches, considers the 21st century issues facing operators in the retail world.       RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS It is no secret that the times are tough on the high street for many retailers. Online sales accounted for nearly 20 per cent of sales in November 2017 and the devaluation of sterling has led to an increase in costs in many supply chains. Meanwhile consumers have switched from spending on clothes to spending on leisure pursuits and

19 Jan, 2018

Our wellness round table, featured in three parts last week, brought together a range of people involved in improving employee performance through workplace design. Steve Hutton, director of Three Sphere Workplace Design,  sums up the debate and offers some assistance. Wellness debate Part 1: 'Employers fail to grasp the impact of the workplace' Wellness debate Part 2: 'Workers need a variety of spaces' Wellness debate Part 3: Feedback loop 'is essential' It’s all about performance - the art

17 Jan, 2018

Thames Valley businesses have been urged to get their voices heard in the latest consultation over Heathrow expansion – one of the UK’s largest ever. The Expansion and Airspace Principles Consultations involves two main themes. The first is about infrastructure design options for an expanded Heathrow and the second, on the future design principles for airspace around the airport. From today until March 28, a dedicated website allows comments on both consultations and, during the 10-week

11 Jan, 2018

We spoke to Thames Tap sponsor T A Fisher about one of the most exciting areas of development of recent years - one where its own subsidiary leads the market in the Thames Valley. Few people in development will be unaware of the major investment opportunities to emerge in recent times – but what will be the next?   Care homes, student accommodation, hotels, PRS and, of course, residential, are all segments of the property market which have risen in prominence.   But one area which has been

01 Nov, 2017

Student accommodation in the 21st Century is a world away from the traditional halls of residence. Andy Jansons, managing director of Jansons Property, casts a developer's eye over this fast evolving market. Cinema rooms, PlayStation facilities and private dining areas illustrate how student accommodation has become one of the most exciting sectors for new developments in recent years. This once relatively-small market has evolved to a point where the major pension funds are now established

17 Oct, 2017

Despite changes in 2013, an ancient law could still present landowners with a large unexpected bill. BrookStreet Des Roches partner Rebecca Thomas explains.  CHANCEL REPAIR LIABILITY – IS IT STILL AN ISSUE? Chancel repair liability has the potential to leave property owners with a large bill to pay towards the upkeep of their local church. In October 2013, the law relating to chancel repair changed so that chancel repair liability stopped being an overriding interest – but what does this mean

16 Oct, 2017

Charles Royle, assistant portfolio manager for AEW UK, argues that Bracknell has done well from Permitted Development rights and questions the use of an Article 4 Direction. The introduction of permitted development rights for change of use from offices (B1a) to residential use (C3) in 2013 has been a huge benefit for the Thames Valley (TV) office market. Councils, landlords and occupiers have all gained from permitted development in different ways. * Councils have, according to DCLG, seen an