The Hobbs Parker Blogs

Hobbs Parker obtain Planning Permission for innovative Teaching and Student Accommodation for CATS College, Canterbury

2010-08-10T04:08:48Z

Hobbs Parker Property Consultants, working with Clague Architects, Canterbury, have obtained planning permission for the expansion of CATS College, Canterbury.

CATS College (Cambridge Arts & Technology) is a successful and long established international sixth form college, offering International Baccalaureate, A-Levels and university foundation courses.
The new teaching and accommodation block has been designed within a restricted site yet will provide 46 residential rooms for students along with 3000ft² of teaching space. The design cleverly creates a central focal point or ‘heart’ for the college, combining freestanding modern buildings within a sensitive conservation area. Traditional, local building materials are to be used, but in fresh ways, and so will both highlight and celebrate the contrast between old and new.
A number of sustainable aspects have been incorporated into the scheme, including solar gain and solar shading where required, natural ventilation via the stack effect and solar panels sited on a sedum roof.
The proposals were the subject of a consultation exhibition providing a platform for the public to express views and concerns. David Jarman, Director, Hobbs Parker Property Consultants, commented “The application proposals have evolved through ongoing negotiations with the local planning authority, and we are very pleased that – through the consultancy period - the proposals have had a very positive response, leading to the planning committee decision to grant approval, in accordance with the officer’s recommendation”.
Phase one of the building work is due to start at the end of this year. Students will be able to move into their new accommodation in September 2011. Phase two is due for completion by the end of 2013.

David Jarman Head of Hobbs Parker Planning Consultants; Planning Since 1985!

2010-08-06T09:08:36Z

A recent article in the Kentish Gazette ‘Memories’ feature included this photo of our very own Head of Hobbs Parker Planning Consultants, David Jarman, in his former role as a planning officer at Canterbury City Council. The photo from 1985, pictures David helping out sixth form pupils from the Geoffrey Chaucer School, on a project in which they had to set up a company and make it profitable. David advised on the most appropriate locations for the various business ideas that the pupils came up with. Mr Trice the sixth form head said that the project “proved a successful and useful exercise as well as being a lot of fun”, and it is proof that David Jarman really has been planning in Kent since 1985!

A London Assembly report has called for stronger planning powers to support small shops.

2010-07-28T05:07:08Z

Cornered shops by the Assembly’s Planning and Housing Committee examines the steady decline of local shops in London. It concludes that changes to local, regional and national planning policies could offer more protection. Also of equal interest are proposed amendments to the Use Classes Order.

The economic downturn and the move of supermarkets like ‘Tesco Metro’ into smaller units by knocking two into one for instance, has contributed to the loss of smaller shops.

The report asks the mayor to make changes to the London Plan to strengthen protection for local shops and give boroughs more power to resist or negotiate on planning applications from big retailers.
This development is interesting in as much as not only could these changes affect London, but national changes to the Use Classes Order would impact on the remainder of the country and the way in which new shops or increases in shopping floor space are considered.

For more information please contact Jonathan Lee

jonathan.lee@hobbsparker.co.uk or 01233 506201

Eoin O'Connor becomes chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

2010-07-28T02:07:30Z

The Hobbs Parker Group wishes to congratulate Eoin O’Connor on his recent election to chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Eoin had been working towards membership of the RTPI since joining Hobbs Parker in December 2007 and is among the first to successfully apply through the more rigorous Assessment of Professional Competence process.

His qualification strengthens the planning team and demonstrates the high professional standards to which they work.

Government unveils plans to enable rural communities to build homes without planning permission

2010-07-23T12:07:10Z

The housing minister Grant Shapps has announced plans to allow rural communities to build developments of up to 20 houses in villages (including in the green belt), without seeking planning permission from local councils.

This latest announcement forms part of the government’s ‘localist’ reforms to the planning system and would see communities voting on whether to allow such housing developments in their villages. Speaking on Radio Four’s Today programme, Shapps said that any local community referendum would have to demonstrate an 80 – 90 % majority in favour for development to go ahead. Local councils which currently decide planning issues would, under the proposed scheme, have little say beyond enforcing modern construction standards.

Mr Shapps expressed a concern over the loss of rural communities with young people not being able to afford to village in the villages that they grew up in;

“We believe that people have a right to stay in their community and if people want to build that community to make it a bit bigger and expand it a bit, within reason, they should have the powers to do that”

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) have responded to the announcement by saying that whilst they are pleased that the government is considering how to protect and enhance rural village life by delivering more affordable housing, they are concerned that;

“Bypassing the planning process is not the way to deliver it (affordable homes) and any proposals should include proper planning scrutiny”

CPRE Head of Planning Fiona Howie stated that;

“The level and location of development should be informed by a proper assessment of local housing need and an understanding of whether the local environment can accommodate more development…..this capacity should be assessed through democratic local plans and not a simple public ballot”.

Whilst the proposals to provide more affordable housing may generally be welcomed by rural communities, it is acknowledged that it could cause friction in close-knit communities and problems getting people to agree on what should be built, and where.

The announcement throws up a lot of questions and uncertainty as to how local consensus can be achieved. What is clear is that there will be a greater requirement for democratic public consultation and informative professional advice, if appropriate and balanced development is to take place within the rural communities.

The role of rural landowners will also be crucial, as, historically, housing to meet local needs in rural areas has involved bringing forward land at a significant discount normal market value for land for new housing. “There can be no doubt that identifying the most suitable sites, consulting on their acceptability, and preparing detailed proposals for an acceptable form of development will require very careful consideration, and our team of planners and surveyors experienced in rural matters will be well placed to assist both landowners and rural communities in taking proposals from inception to fruition” said David Jarman, Director, Hobbs Parker Property Consultants.

Please contact David Jarman for further information.

Regional Planning Strategies are to be Scrapped!

2010-07-06T04:07:59Z

In the latest of the Coalition Government’s reforms to the planning system Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has announced today that Regional Planning Strategies are to be revoked with immediate effect.

The Regional Planning Strategies (of which ‘The South East Plan’ was the adopted Regional Plan for the South East of England) were brought in by the previous Government and set regional targets to build 3 million homes nationally by 2020, however the new Government claims that these centrally imposed building targets have failed to increase house building and that much of the country is facing the lowest peacetime house building rates since 1924.

Today’s announcement on the Communities and Local Government website states that:

“From today, power will be handed back to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning that can get the country building again. Communities will, once again, be able to solve local housing challenges in a way that makes sense for them. In return councils will be offered powerful new incentives that ensure they benefit from the development they welcome”.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said:

“Communities will no longer have to endure the previous government’s failed Soviet tractor style top-down planning targets – they were a terrible, expensive, time-consuming way to impose house building and worst of all threatened the destruction of the Green Belt”.

This latest reform to the planning system and the scrapping of the South East Plan, should be an opportunity for communities to have a greater say in the decision making for new development at the local level and there could be new opportunities for land owners in Kent.

Hobbs Parker are able to advise clients on how this reform may affect local planning decision making in the future, and will be keeping up to date with any further reforms to the planning system.

For more information please contact David Jarman

david.jarman@hobbsparker.co.uk

New Chairman and an optimistic future for Ashford’s Hobbs Parker

2010-07-05T11:07:16Z

The Hobbs Parker Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Rimmer as the company’s new Chairman. Jon will take over from Richard Wood who, after 30 years with the company, is due to retire later this year. Although Richard will be spending more time away from the offices, he will be undertaking some consultancy work and so will remain a familiar face at livestock auctions through 2011.

Jon is currently Managing Director of Hobbs Parker Property Consultants but also assists as one of the Senior Livestock Auctioneers at Ashford Market. An unusual professional combination, but it means he oversees some very varied sections of The Hobbs Parker Group and has a broad base of experience. Jon’s background is in Rural Estate Management and he is both a qualified member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers. Jon first joined the company as a graduate in 1991 before acquiring five years of further professional experience working for Halls in Kidderminster and Bruton Knowles in Gloucester. He rejoined Hobbs Parker in 1999 and has been with the company ever since.

The announcement of a new Chairman comes at a buoyant time for the group. Despite the current stories of economic gloom, Hobbs Parker is delighted that they have come through the recession relatively unscathed and even with some impressive growth figures for 2009. At a recent Bank of England Dinner, they were one of just two Kent companies who were able to report exciting results in 2009 and optimism for 2010.

Jon Rimmer sees his appointment as the group’s new Chairman as a chance to continue building the company and he is bullish about the future. ‘We’ve enjoyed tremendous growth over recent years and Richard Wood is leaving the company in a strong position. I’m delighted to take on the stewardship of the various group businesses and see my appointment as the start of a new chapter. Hobbs Parker has been trading since 1850 and it’s a privilege to be at the helm of one of Ashford’s largest employers and such an historic local company. We’re a strong and diverse business and I’m extremely optimistic for Hobbs Parker’s future’.

Hobbs Parker certainly has an unusually long-lived history. For the first 155 years, the company operated as a traditional partnership until 2005 saw a restructuring. A new structure of specialist Limited Liability Partnerships was set-up, allowing the business to appoint many of its key staff as new Directors and joint owners of the various LLPs. Now 17 Directors manage the five specialised businesses: Estate Agents, Auctioneers, Car Auctions, Property Consultants and Telecoms, each focused as a distinct business entity within the group. Since that point five years ago, company turnover has doubled and the directors are looking forward with optimism, especially as this year will see the opening of a new Estate Agents’ office in Tenterden and the acquisition of an IT Services business to extend the services provided by Hobbs Parker Telecom.

Houses to let in Ashford in short supply

2010-06-29T10:06:01Z

Over the past five to ten years, Ashford has been one of the country’s boom towns in terms of buy-to-let investment opportunities. Back then, investors were lining up to buy numerous properties, particularly on the estate developments that have been springing up around the town’s outskirts.

The 2007 credit crunch signalled an abrupt end to lots of property investment, particularly buy-to-lets and Ashford, alongside many regional towns, has suffered.

But things are changing, and there are strong signs that Ashford could be one of the prime places in the country for investment potential. Moya Bowerman, head of residential lettings at Hobbs Parker, says demand for houses to let in the area is at an all time high.

‘Ashford is being acknowledged by many as an excellent place to live. Not only are there great plans for the town’s regeneration and future, but the arrival of the high speed bullet train to London means we’re seeing an influx of new people – particularly professional couples and young families – all looking for accommodation. Many people are renting as a way of getting to know the area before they buy. At the moment demand is completely out-stripping supply for rental properties, particularly smaller family homes with 2 to 3 bedrooms.’

Hobbs Parker are not the only ones to recognise that Ashford is a place ripe for investors. The Times recently identified the town as one of the country’s top ten areas on the way up for investment purposes, with the claim that ‘a good train service can add 20-30 per cent to the value of houses.’

Moya Bowerman went on to comment that ‘although finance is harder to secure, if you have funds available for a proportionally larger deposit, it’s certainly possible to find suitable buy-to-let properties in Ashford and the local villages. Rental figures are holding up well and if the current trend continues could well rise. I’d also add that if anyone has property lying empty, now is a fantastic time to consider letting it out.’

Dover District Council Local Development Framework - New Call for Sites

2010-06-10T02:06:05Z

Dover District Council will announce in approximately 7 - 10 days time (17th - 20th June) that they are requesting details of any additional housing sites to be sent to them, within a relatively short period of 3 weeks.

The Council previously asked for site proposals in 2008, they now consider that the information provided may be out of date, and that new sites may have come forward; there is no need to submit further material where sites have already been submitted, unless there is a change in either size of the site (larger or smaller), or nature of development proposed.

To be a realistic possibility for development, sites should either be within, or adjoining, the main urban areas of Dover, Deal, and Sandwich, or within or adjoining the villages in the rural areas.

"Hobbs Parker will be pleased to assist in advising on putting forward suitable proposals to the Council, interested land owners should contact us as quickly as possible, given the short period within which the Council will accept proposals",

Jonathan Lee, Senior Planning Consultant, Hobbs Parker

Government announces new powers to prevent unwanted ‘garden grabbing’

2010-06-09T04:06:52Z

Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark has announced today that Councils and communities are to be given immediate powers to prevent ‘inappropriate’ development on residential gardens, a practice that has been dubbed ‘garden grabbing’.

Previously planning guidance had classified gardens as previously developed or ‘brownfield’ land (in the same category as derelict buildings), however from today Government planning guidance has excluded private residential gardens from the definition of previously developed land (often referred to as brownfield land).

In the announcement today Greg Clark said:

“it is ridiculous that gardens have until now been classified in the same group as derelict factories and disused railway sidings, forcing councils and communities to sit by and watch their neighbourhoods get swallowed up in a concrete jungle…..Today I am changing the classification of garden land so councils and communities no longer have their decisions constantly overruled, but have the power to work with industry to shape future development that is appropriate for their area”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning John Prescott, who introduced the original ‘brownfield’ designation for gardens, defended his policy and attacked the proposals in a heated debate, saying:

“You have got to look at how many homes we need and where they will be built. We are desperately short of land……We are talking about the few people who may object to the house in their street that's going to be used for social housing…. I'm talking about families who haven't got a ruddy home... We desperately need houses. Prices are far too high. It's the bankers who buggered up the economy, and oddly enough it started with housing…. It's the old Tory policy spouted by millionaires, always for the few not the many."

As part of the announcement today Greg Clark made it clear that this was just the start of ‘wholesale reform’ that he wants to make for the planning system, so that Councils and communities are centre-stage and the planning system is not just a tool of top-down policy.

Hobbs Parker will be keeping a close eye on these reforms to the planning system and advising our clients on the implications for future development proposals.

What are the likely implications for landowners and developers?

David Jarman commented:

“In principle, the changes are not as great as they might appear at first sight; local authorities have always had discretion to decide whether or not a particular development on land presently forming part of a garden to a house was acceptable, taking into account the character of the area, and other planning considerations relevant to a particular proposal. However, it is likely that objectors to new developments, and some elected members of planning committees, may feel the changes provide support to the refusal of a greater number of planning applications for such developments, as a matter of course.

In the long run, if more applications are refused, then it will mean more Greenfield land on the edge of settlements, often agricultural land, being required to accommodate new homes.

In the short run, any owner of land with an existing planning permission for development, not yet implemented, on such sites would be well advised to take early action to commence the development permitted. Our planning team at Hobbs Parker would be happy to advise on the steps necessary to protect such a position, in the light of this latest change”.

Please contact David Jarman for further information

david.jarman@hobbsparker.co.uk

Planning Surgery, a big success!

2010-06-03T11:06:02Z

Planning Surgery, a big success!

The recent planning surgeries that offered the chance to obtain a free consultation with an experienced planning consultant have been a big success. Thank you to all of those who attended one of our surgeries.

Due to this success we are proposing to offer more free planning surgery days later on in the year, please watch this space for the forthcoming dates or contact Christopher Collett for further information.

chris.collett@hobbsparker.co.uk

RIP to HIPs – but make sure you still have your facts straight if selling a house in Kent

2010-05-20T12:05:02Z

Today, in keeping with the pre-election promises of both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, the coalition government has formally announced that the highly controversial Home Information Packs (HIPs) have been suspended.

Grant Shapps MP, newly appointed as Housing Minister, said the end of HIPs meant “that home sellers will be able to get on with marketing their home without having to shell out hundreds of pounds upfront.” He commented further that the new government are “committed to greener housing so from now on all that will be required will be a simple energy performance certificate".

Reacting to the news, Alex Davies from Hobbs Parker Country Houses, said it was a welcome decision that was likely to boost liquidity in the housing market. “In the Ashford area, the step is likely to be greeted with applause as HIPs have never achieved a ringing endorsement from sellers and have done little to excite buyers. Thankfully the new Government has been decisive on this issue and it will hopefully encourage sellers wishing to offer their properties for sale to do so without hesitation.”

“However”, Mr Davies warned, ”sellers should not be complacent. Buyers still need to seek reassurance in the home buying process and as many are now accustomed to the availability of pre-contract documentation, sellers should still consider instructing their legal advisor early on in the marketing process to assemble the paperwork so that the transaction can get off the starting blocks quickly once a buyer has been found. Whilst controversial, there is no disputing that buyers’ solicitors could commence some of the conveyance work when a HIP was available. A lack of information slows it down. Well-informed buyers are more confident about the purchase process and break fewer deals.”

Update on Conservative Liberal Democrat Planning Policies - "Building the big society"

2010-05-20T12:05:06Z

The Conservative/Liberal Democrat Government announced yesterday their “building the big society” agenda, key implications for planning policy and practice are firstly, an intention to give communities more powers – stating “we will radically reform the planning system to give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live”.

The big issue for the development world is the extent to which the greater public involvement takes on a positive stance, or reinforces “NIMBY” positions.

Secondly, the proposal to abolish regional spatial strategies is confirmed; the earlier proposal was that the accompanying housing targets for local authorities would be abandoned, there must, in our view, remain a significant risk that this will lead to reductions in a number of new houses built, despite a severe national housing shortage.

Watch this space for more updates!

2003 Maserati - A Real Beauty!

2010-05-18T04:05:53Z

Monday evening`s auction saw one very astute buyer drive away an absolute beauty - a stunning 2003 Maserati 4.2 GT Coupe in immaculate condition with only 48,000 miles, entered directly from one of our regular Main Dealership vendors. Amazing value at only £13,500.

The auctions are currently packed with some great quality and great value for money entries. We are back up to over 150 vehicles per sale with 100`s of eager buyers in attendance.

Planning Rules and a new Government...

2010-05-18T11:05:23Z

Prior to the general election on 6 May, there was much speculation and debate in the planning world as to the possible consequences of a change of Government on the planning system. With the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government still wet behind the ears, and the new cabinet beginning to take shape it is time to leave the speculation behind and asses the first signs of what the new Government will mean for the environment and the planning system.

In the past few days it has been announced that Eric Pickles (MP for Brentwood and Ongar, In Essex) has been appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Grant Shapps, Housing minister and Chris Huhne is to become Energy and Climate Change Secretary.

The property world is eagerly awaiting news on three key areas of policy flagged up by the Conservative party in the run up to the general election. Firstly, the Conservatives proposed the abolition of regional plans, and the accompanying housing targets; the property world was concerned that this would lead to uncertainty, delay in agreeing new plans, and the risk that some local authorities would slash housing figures. However, both David Cameron and Nick Clegg made positive noises in the leadership debate on the need to provide more housing, and this seemingly firm position may change as detailed policy work proceeds.

Secondly, the Conservatives proposed to abolish the Community Infrastructure Levy, and substitute a discretionary local system of tariffs on developers – as a means of achieving funding for public infrastructure necessitated by new development. In the light of the latest news of the budget deficit, it seems highly likely that a new system, in one form or another, will seek to achieve higher payments from developers, to fund essential infrastructure.

Thirdly, the Conservatives proposed greater involvement of the public, in the preparation of plans for communities, at the local level. There is a high degree of accord here, with the Liberal Democrats own approach, and we expect to see this principle followed, although it will perhaps be sometime before its effects are felt on new plans.

Whilst it is still very much early days, some key areas of environmental policy have already been agreed by the two ruling parties, namely:

The establishment of a high speed rail network
the cancellation of the third runway at Heathrow and;
the abandonment of plans for additional runways at Gatwick and Stanstead Airports

Most notably, on the issue of energy, whilst there is an agreement to seek to increase the target for energy from renewable sources (subject to the advice of the Climate Change Committee), the Liberal Democrats have long opposed any new nuclear construction, whilst by contrast the Conservatives are committed to allowing the replacement of existing nuclear power stations provided they are subject to the normal planning process for major projects (under a new planning statement ) and provided also that they receive no public subsidy. A press release by the new coalition Government stated:

“We have agreed a process that will allow Liberal Democrats to maintain their opposition to nuclear power while permitting the government to bring forward the national planning statement for ratification by Parliament so that new nuclear construction becomes possible”.

Whilst the willingness of the two parties to unite on key issues affecting our environment and the planning system is to be welcomed, the effectiveness of the new coalition in passing legislation once the honeymoon period is over, remains to be seen.

David Jarman & Chris Collett