NEWS

The latest property stories coming out of the Thames Valley

10/18/2017

Extension planned for Seacourt Park & Ride

One of Oxford’s Park & Rides will increase in size more than 85 per cent and have several new facilities added if plans by the city council are approved. The authority has applied to add 685 spaces to the 794-space Seacourt Park & Ride to the west of the city, making a total of 1,452 once a reconfiguration is accounted for which will also mean the loss of 27. Plans also include a new waiting area, toilets and ticket machines, new lighting, CCTV, landscaping, 30 cycle spaces, 10 disabled spaces
10/17/2017

How chancel repair liability continues to affect landowners

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
10/17/2017

Development partner sought for 2,000 homes at Maidenhead Golf Club

Councillors at the Royal Borough are expected to start the search of a development partner for 2,000 homes and a school at Maidenhead Golf Club within the next month. The Masterplan, drawn up by Savills for the 132-acre site will go before the council’s corporate services overview and scrutiny panel on October 24, and then an extraordinary meeting of the council on October 30 when members expect to begin the search for the development partner. An advert is due in Estates Gazette on November 3
10/16/2017

View from the riverbank: Let's challenge the noisy neighbours

The Greater Thames Valley (GTV) will be out in force at MIPIM UK in London’s Olympia (Stand G15 / G13) this week, promoting the region’s qualities to investors and developers. Led by six Local Enterprise Partnerships (Thames Valley Berkshire, Buckinghamshire Thames Valley, Enterprise M3, Oxfordshire, Solent and Wiltshire & Swindon), supported by three partners (Development Communications, Heathrow Airport and Locale) and five friends (Active FM, Lichfields, Galliford Try and Royal Elm Park),
10/16/2017

Permitted development: Positive or Negative?

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
10/16/2017

Four Oxfordshire applications but no results

Four applications for a total of up to 482 homes in Oxfordshire have all failed to reach their allocated committees. As we reported, planners at South Oxfordshire District Council were due to consider plans for up to 135 homes on land east of Park Road, Didcot by Catesby Estates along with plans for up to 74 on land next to the village hall on Main Road, East Hagbourne, at their October 4 meeting. Both were subsequently deferred and will be heard on Wednesday, October 18. Plans, due before
10/16/2017

Turley wins approval for hotel, restaurant and drive-thru

Turley Reading secured approval for a Premier Inn, Beefeater restaurant and Costa Coffee drive-thru in Winnersh at last Wednesday’s (October 11) meeting of planners in Wokingham. Representing developer Whitbread, the Turley team achieved a unanimous decision from Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee for the 102-bed hotel, 190-cover restaurant and Costa at a site known as 613 Reading Road. Turley senior planner David Wetherill said: “The site is situated in an ‘out of centre’
10/16/2017

'Digital can make the high street work'

Digital media could be the key to town centres’ successes rather than a threat to them. The Digital High Street event, organised by Thames Valley Berkshire LEP in conjunction with Bracknell Forest Council, brought together town centre managers and other retail representatives on Thursday, October 12. Delegates heard how footfall on the high street stood to gain from technology, in particular, social media. Polly Barnfield, chief executive of Maybe which is running a campaign called #WDYT (What

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Independent Property
NEWS & VIEWS

Reporting daily from the Thames Valley tvproperty.co.uk

News

Extension planned for Seacourt Park & Ride

How chancel repair liability continues to affect landowners

Development partner sought for 2,000 homes at Maidenhead Golf Club

View from the riverbank: Let's challenge the noisy neighbours

Permitted development: Positive or Negative?

Four Oxfordshire applications but no results

Turley wins approval for hotel, restaurant and drive-thru

'Digital can make the high street work'