Property Pulse - 18th May 2020

A collection and look back on of some of the main stories that made the headlines in the Property sector over the last week...

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London ‘hanging gardens’ tower gets green light

London planners have resolved to grant planning for a landmark 35-storey tower in the Square Mile featuring a huge green wall.

The 50 Fenchurch Street project for The Clothworkers’ Company was the first to be approved by virtual committee.

Prime London market poised for swift post-Covid recovery

“In London’s case, the political certainty provided by last December’s general election boosted housing market confidence during January and February. With prices in some areas down as much as 25% over the past five years, we expect a sharp uptick in 2021.”

Government backs site working up to 9pm

The Government has clarified plans for longer site working hours even in residential areas to take pressure off public transport.

L&G’s Guild Living submits planning for Surrey retirement scheme

Legal & General’s urban retirement housing company Guild Living has submitted a planning application for a 193-unit site in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

The scheme would include a wellness centre and a public gym will be open to the public.

Industry stalwarts call for 100,000 homes for key workers

A campaign calling on the government to build 100,000 modularly-constructed affordable homes exclusively for keyworkers has been backed by heavyweights from across the residential sector.

“Homes for Heroes” is a national alliance of housing associations, public figures, business leaders and manufacturers of modular homes, which wants the government to fund the initiative alongside private investors and housing associations using public land over the next five years.

The initiative is backed by the G15 group of London’s largest housing associations, Legal & General, Cast Consultancy, Notting Hill Genesis and the British Property Federation. Places for People, Assael Architecture and HTA have also backed the scheme.

Plans in for Rotherham Forge Island mixed-use scheme

Urban regeneration specialist Muse Developments, has submitted plans for a mixed-use scheme at the Forge Island site in Rotherham town centre.

Plans for the scheme include a cinema, food and drink outlets, a hotel, and a car park, with the new leisure facilities connected by a new pedestrian bridge to the wider town centre.

If consent is granted and agreements are exchanged with the main anchor occupiers, it is anticipated that construction will begin in autumn 2021.

and finally....

Now Is an Unprecedented Opportunity to Hire Great

While the Covid-19 pandemic hits and reshapes companies, industries, national economies, and our society in previously unthinkable ways, business leaders need to think beyond survival to the opportunities this crisis might create, not only for their own organizations but the greater good. Chief among these is a chance to hire talented people at a time when they might have trouble finding or keeping jobs elsewhere.