Blogs
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....
Why our divorce laws need to be reformed
The Nuffield Foundation recently released a report entitled ‘Finding Fault’ in which it condemned the prevailing divorce laws in England and Wales, accusing them of forcing couples to make exaggerated and even false claims of adultery or bad behaviour, to obtain a divorce. Under the Matrimoni....
‘Agent-of-change’ principle should be compulsory for property developers, say MPs and groups
MPs and influential groups have extended their backing to calls for a new law which would force property developers to consider the impact of all planned developments on pre-existing businesses in the surrounding area before pushing ahead with their plans. The so-called ‘agent-of-change’ prin....
The ‘gig’ economy – where are we now?
If you have had a takeaway delivered, or organised a private cab to give you a lift somewhere, you will have experienced the “gig” economy. According to the Chartered Institute for Professional Development, roughly 1.3 million people in the UK now work in the gig economy, where instead of a r....
Neighbourhood Plans – your chance to have your say
Introduced under the Localism Act 2011, neighbourhood planning gives communities the right to have a say in shaping the development of their local area. In simple terms, Neighbourhood Development Plans become part of the Local Plan, and the policies contained within them are then used in the dete....
