27 Jul, 2017

While the image of the Thames Valley’s office market is one of resilience, the differences between its main towns will influence the way occupiers and investors make decisions. Andy Jansons, managing director of Jansons Property, gives a snapshot of the main centres. Reading Reading’s rallying cry in recent years has been its relative value compared to London. But quoting rents in some of the prime new town centre office locations are almost reaching £40 per sq ft which, in my view, leaves too

15 Jun, 2017

Martin Billings, partner in the Real Estate department at BrookStreet des Roches, explains how what you might consider a simple right of way, can become a complex one.  In the recent Court of Appeal decision in Gore v Naheed, the court considered the extent to which a right of way in favour of one property could be used to gain access to another property. Whilst on the facts of this case it was found that a driveway could be used to access to an adjacent parking area, it is important to

19 Apr, 2017

Developer John Fisher says the requirement for affordable homes on small developments could threaten the viability - and therefore deliverability - of those schemes. Mr Fisher, managing director of Thames Valley housebuilder T A Fisher, says small developers seeking to maintain a high threshold of quality could find it difficult to incorporate both affordable houses and developer infrastructure contributions on smaller projects. Government changes to national planning policy have sought to

06 Apr, 2017

Rebecca Thomas, Partner - Professional Support at law firm BrookStreet des Roches, explains recent clarification on whether  business rates are due while a building is under refurbishment. The question of whether business rates are payable while a property is being redeveloped has been determined by the Supreme Court in a decision which will be welcomed by owners and developers. Overturning the Court of Appeal decision in Newbigin (Valuation Officer) v SJ & J Monk, it was held that where a