June, 2008

Global real estate advisers DTZ expects to see a further fall in UK commercial property values this year, following an 18 per cent drop on capital values since summer 2007.

The House of Commons passed the planning bill this week, voting 280 to 198 in favour of the new regulations.

Most of the UK's commercial property agencies have put a freeze on recruitment as the credit crunch continues, according to research.

An Italian-based architect has revealed plans for the world's first rotating skyscrapers, which are to be built in Dubai and Moscow by the end of 2010.

A sustainable office development has been approved by Glasgow city council, in what the developer hails "the beginning of a new era".

Energy giant British Gas is to relocate to a new headquarters building in the centre of Cardiff, in what one publication has branded "the biggest office deal in Wales this year".

Norseman Investments has released its proposals for a £150 million, 400,000 square feet office development in Derby.

The Spanish property company Allegra European Holdings has bought its first UK building – 5 King William Street – for £44.5 million.

The accountancy firm Baker Tilly has announced its relocation from current premises on Lincoln Square to new offices in the Spinningfields development.

Around 40 per cent of financial advisers expect the UK property market to recover this year, according to a survey.

US tycoon Donald Trump has said he expects the UK's property market to avoid the severe problems seen in America's real estate industry.

Landlords could prevent problems further down the line by taking out emergency assistance cover, one expert has suggested.

A firm has published an online guide to explain to advisers the pros and cons to consider when looking at investing in commercial property in a self-invested personal pension (Sipp).

Property landlords should be looking to up their games due to increased competition in the lettings market, one expert has saud.

The Lowry Outlet Mall in Salford Quays, Manchester has announced that it enjoyed record sales last month.

Work has begun on a GE-funded commercial property development in Croydon this week.

A new development providing 90,000 sq ft of Grade A office space is set to be built in Leeds, it has been reported.

A leading law firm has bought the premises of 32 Smith Square, London, on behalf of the European parliament.

The Teesside Business Park in Stockton on Teesside has attracted several big name companies since opening, with banking giant HBOS being the latest name to take up residence.

Central London-based property firm Great Portland Estates is putting its 208-222 Regent Street property up for sale.

The Westfield Stratford City development, set to open in 2011, is expected to boost the area's profile as a shopping destination, it has been claimed.

Reland, a mixed-use subsidiary of property developer Gladedale, has been given permission to build a 1m sq ft mixed-use scheme to the south of Leeds.

Office rents in London's West End are the highest in the world, according to research by Knight Frank.

British Land has sold the Peacocks shopping centre in Surrey to a Northern Irish investor for £115 million, reflecting a net yield of around six per cent.

Commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has been instructed by Unex Group to launch the marketing of a Peterborough office development.

Gulf Finance House (GFH) has launched a sharia-compliant UK commercial property fund which it hopes will build on the success of its first.

The Yorkshire commercial property market has a more positive outlook than many people think, economist Roger Bootle says.

If prices continue to fall banks could call in commercial property loans, one industry advisor says.

Valuations of commercial property are now more consistent, a report by the Investment Property Databank shows.

Dubai World subsidiary Economic Zones World (EZW) has bought shed developer Gazeley for an undisclosed price.

British Land has submitted a planning application to develop a £300 million mixed-use site next to its Meadowhall Shopping Centre.

Plans for a £400 million scheme in Kirkby to include a football stadium and Tesco supermarket have been backed by the local council.

BNB Developments has won consent for a data centre in Cambridgeshire, which it believes will be Europe's largest and greenest, Property Week reports.

The Charnwood Group has instructed property consultants Alder King as joint agents on a £60 million business park in south Wales, PropertyMall.com reports.

A property consultant has said the end of rate relief on empty commercial buildings could damage efforts to regenerate deprived areas.

The Cabot Circus shopping development in Bristol is 90 per cent let ahead of its September opening, Property Week reports.

Construction work on a £12.5 million redevelopment project in Birmingham is under way.

A new report has claimed that the government has failed to make headway in improving sustainable procurement in the construction sector.

Liverpool city council has formally objected plans to build a £400 million scheme in Kirkby, which would include a supermarket and football stadium.

Changes to planning laws which would affect commercial projects have been attacked in the House of Commons.

Commercial mortgages will improve if "Libor comes down and they get liquidity back into the mortgage market", according to Mortgages for Business.

The commercial mortgage market is "in a tunnel and can't see the light" according to Mortgages for Business.

Croydon council has chosen its preferred partner for a £450 million regeneration scheme that will include its new headquarters.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has published a funding guide for developers to enable them to gain public funding for regeneration schemes.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has announced funding of up to £4 million for the re-development of Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground.

Independent property company Willan has purchased a multi-million pound Manchester office park.

The Gulf Finance House (GFH) has advised clients to invest in the UK's commercial property market and take advantage of current prices.