Amidst rampant demand for scarce housing, empty homes are frowned upon by local authorities – however, compulsory purchase of such properties in the public interest can be exceedingly expensive. In one such case, a council
A woman who exercised her right to buy her council home, only to later discover that it was structurally unsound and in danger of partial collapse, has won almost £75,000 in compensation from the local
Many people might think it neighbourly for landowners to allow members of the public to take short cuts across their land. However, such kindness can have unforeseen consequences, as one High Court case vividly revealed.
No one should be deprived of their private property by public authorities unless there is a compelling public interest in doing so. This point was underlined by a case in which the High Court blocked
In a case which involved a very modern clash between the pressing need for more new homes and the right of existing residents to enjoy reasonable peace and quiet, the High Court has boosted plans
The ever increasing need for more homes in and around London is a vital factor in hundreds of planning decisions – but it is not necessarily decisive. This point was made by the High Court’s
Wildlife preservation is a vital factor in many planning decisions and, in one such case, greater crested newts had a central part to play after developers put forward rival proposals for crematoria in an area
Title deeds obviously need careful perusal before investing in property; however, one property developer came expensively unstuck due to a 100-year-old indenture which was invoked by objectors and stymied its house building plans. The developer
Those who are lucky enough to own the freehold of their homes are considered lords of their own castles. However, that is not true in every case, as one bungalow owner found out when he
The pressing need for more housing in the south-east of England was the deciding factor as the High Court approved plans for a large mixed-use development in the Surrey Green Belt. The Court gave the
