Blogs
When nature fights back against development
When developers are looking to break ground on a new site, as part of the planning process, they are often required to conduct an environmental review of the site to ensure protected species are not present. Now pop star Ed Sheeran has been caught out in this process as his plans to construct a w....
Potholes – a personal injury hazard of our time
As we head towards spring, the cold snowy weather is still taking its toll on our roads. Potholes continue to be more than just an annoying feature of the UK’s road network - motorists, cyclists, joggers and walkers can often sustain serious personal injuries through coming into contact with this ....
PM unveils plans to “rewrite the rules” on planning law
In recent days, Prime Minister Theresa May has unveiled Government proposals to “rewrite the rules” on planning law in a bid to try and solve the UK’s so-called housing crisis. In a speech delivered in London on Monday 5 March 2018, Mrs May said that the Government would work to restore the....
Will my funeral wishes be respected?
If you’d like to be cremated or have an eco-burial, or want your favourite piece of music or a special poem to be used at your funeral, it’s important to leave instructions for your Executor, and ensure you make your wishes known to friends and family members. As the law currently stands, it....
423,000 homes with planning permission approved are still waiting to be built, research reveals
Research published by the Local Government Association (LGA) in recent days has revealed that the UK has a backlog of more than 423,000 new homes with pre-approved planning permission that are still waiting to be built. The LGA’s report suggests that this ‘backlog’ has grown by almost 16 pe....
When is a house not a house…?
Neighbours of one couple in Leicester were probably surprised to find that their garage was, in fact, a home but they are not alone. Dr Reeta Herzallah and Hamdi Almasri had managed to conceal the home for a couple of years by putting a garage door across the front of the property but in October ....
GDPR: What HR professionals need to know
With the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) fast approaching, organisations across the UK are preparing by reviewing and addressing many aspects of their data handling and processing. HR departments are set to be amongst the most significantly affected as they are likely t....
Support growing for London ‘upward extension’ scheme
In recent days, Housing Secretary Sajid Javid has extended his backing to an innovative ‘upward extension’ scheme proposed for London, which would make it easier for City businesses and homeowners to add additional floors to their properties. The proposed policy, which was initially consulted....
Important changes to planning law just around the corner
On 23 February 2018, new legislation will take effect which will enable developers to purchase ‘development-ready’ land from local authorities, as authorities will be able to ‘pass-on’ the planning permission required in order to build on such land in instances where they have already previo....
Your right to unpaid parental leave
Being a working parent is never easy. Looking after children in the holidays can be a case of juggling work commitments, taking paid leave, and filling the gaps with childcare and paid-for activities. This can work out to be very expensive and may be hard to arrange, so parents might want to conside....
Equity release – weighing up the pros and cons
Figures from the Equity Release Council show that those aged over 55 are relying more than ever before on the wealth tied up in their houses. Older people who bought their properties many years ago can often find themselves asset rich but cash poor, sometimes living on low incomes whilst living in v....
Permitted development law – a help or a hindrance?
In 2013, a landmark legislative change known as ‘permitted development’ was introduced, enabling property developers to convert commercial buildings into residential flats without having to go through the traditional planning process. The new rules were initially introduced in a bid to combat....
