Provision of affordable housing is an essential objective of the planning process but is not always popular with developers. In one High Court case, construction of four homes in a small village was blocked after
A great many applications for planning consent are submitted in outline, with details of proposed developments left over for consideration at a later stage. In an important ruling, the Court of Appeal analysed the extent
Making comparisons between similar properties is the standard means of assessing appropriate levels of rent payable on commercial premises. The practice came under scrutiny by the Court of Appeal as a landlord defeated claims that
Planning permissions can be subject to a wide range of conditions that are designed to minimise harm and maximise public benefit. In a guideline decision, the Court of Appeal confirmed the validity of a very
Do the often noisy and dirty engineering works involved in creating basement extensions require planning permission in their own right? The High Court tackled that burning issue in blocking plans for a subterranean living space
Neighbours engaged in boundary disputes would generally be wise to submit their differences to an independent expert for resolution, rather than fighting it out in court. However, as one High Court case underlined, it is
The rights of property owners are often viewed as constitutional in their sanctity – but even they sometimes have to give way to the general public good. In one case that illustrated the point, a
Requests for information prior to completion of property transactions must always be fully and accurately answered. However, in one case where that did not happen, a flat purchaser won £15,000 in damages after the vendor
Where does the dividing line between ‘converting’ and ‘rebuilding’ a property lie? The High Court analysed that issue in a case concerning a steel-framed cow barn that its owners wished to turn into a dwelling
Burgeoning numbers of second homes in picturesque areas can have a dramatic impact on property prices and a community’s character. In one case that starkly raised that issue, the High Court approved plans to restrict
