The New UK Growth Plan
Chartered Surveyors & Rural Property Advisors in Essex, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire Government plans to boost the struggling construction industry and consequently provide more homes are on the table. They have however had a mixed reception from many within the construction industry. Some felt that the proposals would bring a much needed lift with regards to infrastructure and the development of housing. Others worry that the resultant ‘sugar rush’ would just exacerbate inflation rates. Some did not like the fact that certain environmental concerns will no longer be...
Read MoreNorth Essex Development
When the developer comes knocking The hiatus in Local Plan preparation across the north Essex district councils has caused an outbreak of speculative approaches from promoters and developers. The Planning Inspectors’ rejection of 5 of the 6 proposed garden communities removes 9,000 houses from the draft Local Plans for the period to 2033, and an enormous 52,500 houses from the planned communities over the next 30-40 years. Local politicians had hoped that approval to the garden communities would settle the principal location of major development for decades to come. Instead we return to the...
Read MoreBPS 2020
Basic Payment Scheme 2020 The 2020 BPS scheme opens for online applications on 12th March with a claim deadline of 15th May. The scheme is primarily online and paper forms will only be sent on request. DEFRA have confirmed that the current system will remain in place for this year with payment cuts from 2021. Thereafter payments will continue to fall, on a trajectory still to be agreed, to zero in 2028. The overall budget has been guaranteed for the duration of this Parliament. A new environment scheme, ELMS, as well as productivity initiatives, will be phased in with the large scale roll...
Read MorePermitted Development Rights
On the 12th March the housing minister announced further changes to the Permitted Development Rights (PDR) that affect farmers. Under the current Part Q regulations the conversion of agricultural buildings to residential is limited to a maximum of 3 units and a cumulative total of 465sqm. From 6 April 2018 this will be relaxed to allow up to 5 units to be built. There can be no more than 3 larger homes, as under the old rules, with any additional properties being no larger than 100 sqm. Permitted Development Rights for new agricultural buildings are currently limited to 465sqm...
Read MoreChanges to Probate Fees
Probate fees are due to rise in May 2017. Following a consultation in 2016, significant increases in the fees payable for a grant of probate are due in May this year. Currently the system requires a flat fee to be paid, which is, if carried out through a solicitor, £155 and if not, the fee is £215. This will change in May to a banded fee, relative to the value of assets and the estate. A table below shows the potential costs and significant potential increase, which could have implications on families, assets held and businesses involved within the probate. Value of Estate (before...
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