10/17/2017

Despite changes in 2013, an ancient law is still able to 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

10/16/2017

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

07/27/2017

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

06/15/2017

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

04/19/2017

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

10/20/2017

Law firm FSP has appointed agricultural lawyer Hazel Eccles to its real estate team. Formerly with Freeths LLP, Hazel handles rural property and development work, acting for farmers, landowners and landed estates. In her new role she will head the farming and estates group. In the area of strategic land she specialises in drafting and negotiating option, promotion, and joint venture agreements and overage (additional payments) provisions along with dealing with the eventual sale from landowner

10/20/2017

The impact of Greater Thames Valley’s (GTV) presence at MIPIM UK was underlined when Government minister Jake Berry put his name to a key stage in the region’s growth. Mr Berry, northern powerhouse & local growth minister in the department for communities and local government, joined representatives from the six LEPs which teamed up to promote the region, where, alongside OxLEP chief executive Nigel Tipple, he signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Didcot Growth Accelerator

10/19/2017

Research by Bidwells suggests Oxfordshire’s industrial market is thriving despite the despite market uncertainties. The first six months of 2017 saw take up rise, requirements increase and rents hit a record high, as occupiers showed faith in a buoyant local economy. The property consultant's figures indicate take up in Oxfordshire’s industrial market is at its highest level since 2013, with 221,000 sq ft of space shifted during H1 2017. Activity was strong right across the sector, with the