July, 2008

Chantry Developments has been given hybrid planning permission for a 215,280 square feet (sq ft) business park in Northwich, Cheshire.

The removal of rate relief for empty commercial properties is a stealth tax which is threatening rural diversification, according to landlords.

Commercial property landlords are backing a British Retail consortium (BRC) campaign to offer retailers help during the economic downturn.

Scotland's commercial property market is "very positive" at the moment, particularly when compared to the north of England, Property Executive says.

There is no room for cowboys and inexperienced developers in the commercial property market, Property Executive says.

The British Council for Offices (BC) says REITs are not giving commercial property investors the best returns for their money.

London-based Salmon Developments is planning to demolish all older buildings that it cannot let in a protest against the new empty building rates laws.

An arts centre will be built on Margate seafront following funding of £8.2 million being agreed.

The Phoenix and Lion Way retail parks in Swansea have been sold to Barberry Group for £10.3 million.

ISG has been named the preferred contractor for the redevelopment of Sir John Deane's College in Northwich.

Two retail and residential Olympic developments have been approved by the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) planning committee.

Dorset-based property services firm Goadsby has confirmed a lease on a Southampton office to employment company WTCS.

Property developer Stanhope is to develop a 550,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme in Kent in partnership with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

F&C Asset Management is to merge its property business with Leo Noe and Ivor Smith's REIT Asset Management, in a move which will combine the companies' more than £8.5 billion of assets.

Planning officers at Hackney borough council have recommended approval for the first phase of Hammerson's £700 million Bishop's Quarter plans.

The demand for commercial property has fallen to the lowest level in a decade, according to RICS' Commercial Property Survey.

The British Council of Offices (BCO) says the changes to empty commercial property rates will impact investors and could affect their income.

The British Council of Offices (BCO) predicts that prices for commercial property will continue to soften in 2009.

Commercial property is an "attractive investment" but needs to be handled diligently, one expert has said.

The take-up of rented office space in Edinburgh rose during the second quarter of the year, according to new figures.

ScS has signed up for retail space at a £35 million development in Cardiff.

Newcastle Airport is piloting a new shopping scheme following the refurbishment of commercial space on the site.

A new leisure complex proposed by Derbyshire Dales district council has gathered pace with a funding boost and the appointment of a project manager and design team.

The take-up of office space in the M25 region is slow, but rents remain resilient, according to Savills.

Commercial property values took a two per cent fall in June, figures from the Investment Property Databank (IPD) show.

London's commercial property market is one of the most attractive for investors, according to research.

The budget hotel chain Premier Inn has exchanged contracts on three new hotel sites as it continues to push ahead with expansion plans.

Terrace Hill Group has submitted plans for the redevelopment and extension of a Bristol city centre office building.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has selected Carillion and Igloo to deliver the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre and its legacy development for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Real estate investors British Land has made a "resilient" start to the year, despite weak financial markets and economic slowdown.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has announced the creation of the Construction Council, a body to represent the industry.

London-based developer Westfield has launched the leasing plan for its £320 million Bradford shopping scheme.

London-based developer Centros has submitted plans for a £150 million mixed-use scheme in Lancaster, amid the formation of protest and support groups.

Companies could be bankrupt by the end of autumn unless the government reconsiders the removal of empty rates relief, one politician warns.

Office lettings in central London have slumped by nearly a quarter between the first and second quarters of the year, research by Atisreal reveals.

Goodman Property Investors has sold the Focus 4 industrial unit in Bracknell for £9 million.

Alder King has sold Unit 3 of Access 18, Avonmouth to aluminium and stainless steel distributors and stockholders Richard Austin Alloys.

PZ Cussons, the firm behind brands such as Imperial Leather and Carex, is leaving its Stockport headquarters for new premises in south Manchester.

Sir Howard Bernstein has been appointed chairman of the ReBlackpool regeneration company, replacing Sir Peter Hall who stepped down from the position earlier this year.

Work could start on the £300 million Summer Row scheme in Wolverhampton early next year after a legal challenge against the development was dropped.

Stobart Group has pushed back the deadline for its £15 million purchase of Carlisle Airport after the planning application was called-in by the secretary of state.

Carillion, Laing O'Rourke and Sir Robert McAlpine have been shortlisted as possible contractors for the £193 million Library of Birmingham.

The Wood Wharf Partnership has submitted its plans for a mixed-use development adjacent to Canary Wharf.

Plans for a mixed-use development on Newcastle's quayside have been granted planning permission following a public inquiry.

Industrial estate Redwood Court, built on the site of a former Yorkshire colliery, is attracting interest from firms around the country, the agent says.

A number of tenants have been attracted to a North Yorkshire business park, with more than half the units taken by occupiers.

John Lewis is to anchor the £800 million Eastgate Quarters scheme in Leeds, which is being developed by Hammerson and Town Centre Securities.

Early results from the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to the commercial sector show that buildings score a C rating on average.

Prime minister Gordon Brown and Australian developer Westfield have come to an agreement with the local and Olympic authorities over plans for the development of Stratford City.

A multi-million pound construction of a new eco-office is to take place in Stanley after planning permission was granted to architects Browne Smith Baker (BSB).