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Licences and leases explained

GRANTING a licence can appear to be a quick, cheap and handy method of allowing somebody to occupy business premises, particularly where a short-term arrangement is being considered. However, such arrangements can be fraught with difficulties. Read

Newcastle city centre postcode area is cash rich

T HE last few days of conflicting messages about the housing market and the impact on the overall economy has had a measure of good news by way of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to reduce interest rates by 0.25% and the decision to pump more money into the economy. Read

It’s time to stop the talking and start taking some action

AFEW weeks ago I attended a seminar at Tees Valley Regeneration in Stockton to hear about the plans for a new Metro system in the area. This ambitious proposal would make a huge difference to getting around the region and it prompted me to think about the role that transport and communications play in the property market and the wider economy. Read

Value of affordable housing

THE secretary of state for communities and local government has the ability to recover planning appeals for her personal determination. Read

Take nothing for granted with ‘claw back’ agreements

OVERAGE can be a future blessing, but because of its increasing complexity, it can also cause problems for buyers and sellers of property. Read

Acorn of idea grows at centres

THE recent purchase of a Northumberland garden centre by a London property company undoubtedly heralds not just the possibility of restructuring of the business but the development of a new retailing experience. Read

Now easier to become eco-friendly

IF you are keen to do your bit for the environment, then April 6 was an important and exciting milestone. From now on, some of the planning requirements have been relaxed to make it easier for you to install certain types of renewable energy systems for your home or business. Read

Leadership needed on eco-friendly homes

ACOUPLE of news reports caught my eye this week. The first is that a party of scientists has started a five-week biological survey of the Ross Sea in Antarctica, partly to gather data to measure the impact of climate change. Read

Cementing city’s role as European regional capital

Mixed-use developments of the highest quality are continuing to play a critical role in adding to the vibrancy and vitality of Newcastle, says James Platts. Read

Results will be the real proof of regeneration

The ambition being shown to develop major sites in Newcastle and Gateshead is applauded by Bill Naylor, but he calls for the planning authorities and developers to keep a grip on the real world. Read

Investors and banks are keen to ensure the market holds up

Despite gloomy predictions for commercial property values over the coming months, Newcastle-based agent Dickon Wood feels the market still offers opportunities for investors. Read

Property briefing - Legislation has been updated on fire safety

DEVASTATION caused by fire can destroy a business, and that of neighbouring properties. In February a fire at the Imperial Swallow in Jesmond, Newcastle, left nearly every room badly damaged. Read

Are we entering land of the bland?

AREPORT published by RICS and the think-tank Demos five years ago, known as Northern Soul, highlighted the positive effect that “the cultural buzz” of NewcastleGateshead was having on the region. Read

Energy efficiency is key to building

THE Budget highlighted the need for commercial property to take account of climate change. The main focus of the Chancellor’s concern was his call for new non-domestic buildings to become “zero carbon” from 2019. Read

Don’t hold back region in Budget

WHEN Chancellor Alistair Darling stands up to deliver his Budget today, he should take care not to introduce anything that will hold back regional development in the North of England. Read

It pays to check out history of land before buying it

CONTAMINATED sites can hold some nasty surprises. They need careful investigation, as Merlion Capital Housing found to its cost when it bought a 40-acre site for £12.25m from a chemical company, Lambson Fine Chemicals. The case was decided last month against Merlion. Read

A trench can save your permission

LAST week, we looked at how planning permissions expire after a set period and I wrote about a hypothetical developer who lost a lot of money by being caught out by the “use by” date of his permission. Read

Property briefing - Act stacks odds against new casinos

THE regional casino in Manchester may not be going ahead, but Middlesbrough and Leeds look set to be winning locations for large casinos with up to 150 slot machines and prizes up to £4,000. Read

Property briefing: Flood risks must be minimised

A MILLION of the new homes the Government wants to put in place before 2020 will be built on flood plains, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABL) this week. Read

Who's planning what

WHEN developers seek planning permission for a project, they submit plans showing how their scheme will look, and most permissions include a condition requiring the development to be carried out “in accordance with” the plans. Read