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An absence of up-to-date local plans stemming from the uncertainty surrounding the current requirement to review existing policies is causing difficulties for developers and local authorities alike, according to new research from planning and development consultancy Lichfields. While the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was meant to address the problem of outdated local plans by requiring a review of plans every five years, the new research has found that this process is not operating effectively

The annual report, ‘Hiring for the Future’ supports business owners within the property, real estate and construction industries approach recruitment and talent solutions in 2024. Key findings: ·      78% of employees would not sacrifice 5% of their salary if their employer was carbon neutral. ·      36% of employees find dedicated career pages most valuable when researching a company. ·      62% of employees prefer to be employed by a mid-sized company. ·      57% of businesses said they are most active

Molly Wheeler joins Principle from Remus, where she worked for nearly three years as a property manager and more recently as a senior estates manager. Ms Wheeler, a qualified member of the Institute of Residential Property Management and a Certified Practitioner at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CertCIH), had also previously worked as a property manager with GH Property Management Ltd. Polly Dyer, property director at Principle, explained that Ms Wheeler would now be working closely with new  senior

London's largest lettings and sales estate agent brand*, Foxtons, has revealed that the firm has seen a sharp uplift in both the number of sales applicants entering the London market in the last 30 days, as well as the number of viewings being scheduled across the firm’s 50+ branches.  At the start of 2024, data from independent industry source, TwentyCi, found that Foxtons has been the fastest growing sales estate agent in the top 10 in 2023, increasing market share by 28% year on year. Foxtons were also

Work will shortly begin to deliver hundreds of affordable homes, retail spaces and community facilities across Blackbird Leys, now formal planning permission has been granted by Oxford City Council. The council’s planning committee approved plans to carry out the transformational redevelopment in August, following more than four years of engagement with the Blackbird Leys community and more than 1,500 pieces of feedback from local residents and stakeholders.  The plans by housing association Peabody (form

Hard-up rental tenants are going without heating and food in order to pay their landlords, a new survey has found.  The study by Quotezone.co.uk revealed that 26% of tenants have turned their heating off to ensure they can meet their monthly rent.  A further 15% said they had gone without food so they could pay their rent with another 7% admitting to turning off electrical items to save on energy bills.  The cost of living crisis and high cost of fuel along with soaring rents means tenants are under sever

Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has today announced the acquisition of 71 acres of land with outline planning for a significant new settlement in Little Chalfont, south-east Buckinghamshire. The acquisition of the former golf club site and neighbouring property was facilitated by the acquisition of two local landowner companies, Biddulph (Buckinghamshire) Ltd. and Homestead (REL) Ltd. The sale was undertaken by CBRE. Nestled in the serenity of Home County countryside, Little Chalfont Park will b

Keeping heating bills as low as possible is always desirable. In today’s highly volatile energy market that’s particularly important. With ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, it’s wise to anticipate future energy price shocks - and that means reining in costs wherever possible. There are a number of ways to do this. However, often the biggest impact is achieved through improving equipment performance.  Waste not, want not When heat networks perform optimally, they use significantly less ener

Property management company FirstPort has achieved a five-star grading in the British Safety Council’s Occupational Health and Safety Audit for the eighth consecutive year.  The five-star grading demonstrates FirstPort’s dedication towards the continual improvement of its occupational health and safety management systems, policies, and processes.   The latest best practice accreditation, carried out in November 2023, involved British Safety Council auditors visiting FirstPort developments and meeting wit

With the average house price in Zone One London now a staggering £1,507,050, according to property portal Rightmove[1], affordable housing provider SO Resi has just launched 57 Shared Ownership homes at their newest development in Nine Elms, Wandsworth. The development offers one and two-bedroom apartments at SO Resi One Nine Elms with prices starting from £158,750 for a 25% share. Located in London’s tallest residential building, all apartments provide sleek and stylish living, with open plan main rooms

Leading property management agent Rendall & Rittner has been appointed to manage 127 West Ealing, a flagship residential development comprising 142 apartments, of which 106 are private and 36 social housing, and a range of amenities. Building upon the company’s extensive portfolio, Rendall & Rittner took over management of the development in January 2024. 127 West Ealing is a premium collection of one to four-bedroom apartments delivered by TT Group (formerly Telereal Trillium) just a three-minute walk fr

Leading property services provider, Centrick, has recently completed the sale of its high street sales and lettings division to Lomond Group. This strategic move aims to shift the company's focus exclusively to operations within the residential property sector. The transaction involves the transfer of teams from Nottingham, Birmingham, and Solihull to Lomond Group, where they will integrate into the renowned John Shepherd brand. Originally established in 2005 as a building and estate management services f