01/19/2018

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

01/17/2018

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

01/11/2018

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

11/01/2017

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

10/17/2017

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

02/09/2018

Plans for 836 student rooms at the University of Reading’s St Patrick’s Hall site, have been thrown out. Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee took on board a number of objections over design, height, mass, density, parking and residential amenity in refusing the application on Wednesday, February 7. However lead member for strategic environment, planning & transport, Clllr Tony Page said the council wanted to continue to work closely with the university. He said: “I would

02/09/2018

Campaigners are planning to lobby Reading Borough Council to press for a major new swimming pool to be built in the borough. The 1,000-member Reading Swimming Club (RSC) faces a nomadic future after the closure of its main home, Central Pool, last week after 50 years and the Arthur Hill pool at the end of last year. Their only replacement is a ‘pop-up’ pool at Rivermead which has no viewing area for parents of aspiring swimmers, no diving pool and is only one metre deep. There has also been

02/08/2018

Both Arts Council England (ACE) and English Heritage are supporting efforts to bring a theatre and arts venue to Reading Prison. However the group lobbying to make the dream come true must first be allowed in. Guests at First Tuesday Club on February 6, got an inside glimpse of the task facing Theatre & Arts Reading (TAR) from its executive secretary, Hilary Scott. ACE has approved funding for a feasibility study, matched by Trafalgar Entertainment and Festival Republic, whose boss, Melvin