Public barred as 232 homes are discussed

A development for 232 homes is to be heard by councillors behind closed doors. West Berkshire Council’s western area planning committee meets on Wednesday, November 23 to consider Grainger Newbury’s plans for 232 homes in Market Street, Newbury. The committee will also hear an application by Donnington New Homes for 75 properties on land at Coley Farm, Stoney Lane in Cold Ash but the public will be allowed in. But the Grainger Newbury plan has been moved to Part ll of the meeting in which

Aldershot primary school gets approval

Plans for a £10.6 million primary school on the outskirts of Aldershot have been agreed by Hampshire County Council. The 420-place school will be on the junction of Queens Avenue and Alison’s Road and will serve residents of the new 3,850-home Wellesley development on the town’s western edge. The site allows for future expansion to 630 places. Executive member for education, Cllr Peter Edgar said: “Thanks to our strong track record in planning for the future, our provision of additional school

Business rates change for occupants of multiple floors

Rebecca Thomas, Partner - Professional Support at law firm BrookStreet Des Roches, explains a significant change in the way Business Rates are calculated for occupiers who use more than one floor. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) recently announced a change to the way in which commercial property will be valued for business rates purposes where a business is in occupation of two or more separate spaces within a building. This change is likely to result in a business rates increase for affected

Slough seeks to get housing plan approved

Slough councillors are set to approve a new housing policy for the next five years. The borough council’s cabinet meets on Monday, November 21 to consider a report to decide its strategy. If it is approved a public consultation will follow. Priorities in the document include ensuring the right supply and mix of new and affordable homes; ensuring enough good quality private rental homes and that all council homes are maintained to a high standard. The plan also tackles homelessness and seeks

Slough planners prepare for growth

A set of possible solutions to problems facing Slough over the next 20 years is due before councillors on Monday (November 21). Slough Borough Council’s cabinet is expected to back the proposals in the ‘issues and options’ document which will then go to public consultation before feeding into the Local Plan. The document highlights the need to provide 21,000 homes in the borough by 2036. Officers have come up with various possible options, including building new residential neighbourhoods.

Council celebrates Slough shopping centre's £130m sale

Councillors in Slough have celebrated the sale of the Queensmere Observatory shopping centre to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) for £130m. News of the deal which includes 57,400 sq ft Wellington House office block above the centre, and a 1,300 space car park first emerged on CoStar this morning. Last year planning permission was granted to build 675 flats and some additional shop space at the centre. Cllr Sohail Munawar, leader of the council, said: “We are delighted that Queensmere

McKay Securities profits up

Reading-based McKay Securities has announced profits before tax, up 11.8 per cent to £4.42 million in its half-year results. The real estate investment trust (REIT) which specialises in south east and London office and industrial property saw rental income up 2.4 per cent to £10.42m and has announced a dividend of 2.7p per share which was equal to last year’s. McKay Securities is developer of the region's most energy efficient building outside of London - 9 Greyfriars (pictured) - which is

New T A Fisher plans for 30 homes in Sonning Common

Reading-based house builder T A Fisher is about to submit plans to South Oxfordshire District Council for 30 new homes on land at Kennylands Road, Sonning Common. The site is allocated in the recently adopted Neighbourhood Plan which was overwhelmingly supported by residents at the referendum held in September. The land is referred to as Son5 and lies on the western fringes of the village. It is adjacent to the Chilterns Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty but separated from adjoining farmland

New Silverstone units in pole position

MEPC has announced the completion of 125,000 sq ft of industrial units at Silverstone Park, directly opposite the main entrance to the Grand Prix circuit. Units range from 5,000 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft and half the scheme is already under offer. The building which will be known as 1116-1129 Silverstone Park, is in the new campus style landscape. MEPC commercial dfirector for Silverstone Park, Roz Bird, said: “We are delighted with this new development, the latest stage in MEPC’s plan to create a

Slough Investor Day meets FTC West of London

Two major events in the property, development and design consultants' calendar will come together for one of the industry’s most important days next month. Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, will be keynote speaker for the first Slough Property & Investor Day where property professionals and contractors can speak to those driving the town’s remarkable growth. The event, organised by UK Property Forums (UKPF), is from 9.30am to