Over the past few years, we’ve had a real flurry of queries concerning HMO developments (Houses in Multiple Occupation), including an illuminating appeal experience in Bristol very recently. Whilst they often (and sometimes deservedly) get bad press, HMO’s represent a very valid component of the housing market when managed professionally and effectively. Where else can … Read More
On our theme this year of all things green and sustainable, Michele Lavelle of 4D Landscape Design followed up a fascinating chat we had with her over the sourcing, journey and lifespan of trees transplanted ‘to order’. Her thoughts about the sustainability and longevity of imported species yet the vulnerability of some own-grown native trees … Read More
National Park Cities – have you ever heard of these? No. Neither had we, until we read about them in Rob Hopkins Book ‘From What Is to What If, his manifesto to reclaim and unleash the creative power of our imaginations. Inspired by the model of our rural National Parks, which aim to promote our … Read More
Happy New Year, let’s hope it’s a good one. With a refreshed vigour for prioritising the climate crisis throughout our work, we’re going to use the year ahead to look at areas of the English planning system that support biodiversity, environmental protection and sustainability. So for our first blog offering of 2022, we take a … Read More
We’ve recently submitted some responses to the Local Plan Review for Bristol, which aims to deliver on 33,500 new homes across the city by 2035, by, amongst other things, promoting urban living, building more densely and higher to achieve the most efficient use of land, and encouraging more brownfield sites to come forward. It ties in consistently with … Read More
Do you have a commercial building or use that’s proving hard to let or do you need some flexibility of use for marketing a property? If so, it’s worth knowing that there are permitted development mechanisms available which can enable you to move with the market and make the planning system work a little bit … Read More
Recently we attended a very useful seminar at Clarke Willmott Solicitors LLP in Bristol on the proposed Housing and Planning Bill 2015-16. It has major implications for housing, estate agents, rent charges, compulsory purchase and, of course, planning. As the Bill enters its second reading in the House of Commons, here’s a quick summary of … Read More