News analysis
M&S store demolition case highlights the need for clearer policy
Barrister Russell Harris KC talks about how M&S won its appeal against refusal of plans for its Marble Arch store and why the redevelopment may go ahead.
Q&A: Homes England CEO Denton on shifting focus towards regeneration
Chief executive Peter Denton talks about the agency’s response to a DLUHC review and its new five-year strategic plan.
Hammerson chief executive Gagné on creating a vibrant sense of place
Tailored placemaking can bring forth 24/7 urban ‘living spaces’ that have a significant social impact.
Experts question the value of clarified second-staircase rules
Critics fear measures may impose onerous costs without raising safety standards.
Association of Rental Living widens its remit for a growing sector
The body’s CEO Brendan Geraghty talks to Property Week about moving into new subsectors and its BTR code of practice.
Residential and development
Salboy submits plans for tallest tower outside London
The 76-storey residential tower in Manchester will consist of 782 apartments.
Derby council approves Wavensmere Homes’ £75m city centre regeneration scheme
Friar Gate Goods Yard project includes 276 homes and more than 110,000 sq ft of commercial space.
Freehold development in Leicester leads Strettons’ April auction
A total of £8.9m was raised at the auction, which achieved a success rate of 85%.
Ryan Prince on the need for more professional landlords
In a novel format on PropCast, Senior Advisor to Montfort, Andrew Teacher, facilitates a debate between Dr. Anna Minton, reader in architecture at St. Mary’s University London and author of ‘Big Capital: Who Is London For?’, and Ryan Prince, vice chairman of Realstar Group and founder of build-to-rent brand UNCLE.
AEW gets nod for 500-unit BTR scheme at Bristol’s former Debenhams
The former department store will be redeveloped for new rental homes.
Data
Return to work boosts resilient central London office markets
Devono reports a strong take-up in 2023 despite economic uncertainty.
UK Industrial & Logistics rents up 8.2% over past five years
Rental growth accelerated over the past three years but has since decelerated as the market begins to cool.
Investment fell 33% in a tough 2023 for property in Scotland
Analysis from Knight Frank has revealed that total Scottish commercial property investment volumes fell to £1.5bn in a challenging 2023, their lowest level in the past five years, as the market adjusted to rising interest rates.
Growing bed shortage drives student accommodation rent hikes
Growth in the number of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds has slowed by 66.6% since 2019 and the supply shortage is expected to worsen, with an estimated shortfall of 490,000 beds by 2026, the latest annual report from student accommodation portal StuRents shows.
Housebuilding lull weighs on construction activity
Housebuilding decreased for the 11th successive month in October and at a much steeper pace than elsewhere in the construction sector, with the headline S&P Global/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) at 38.5.
