Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

Local Planning Authorities across the country have been progressing Local Plan preparations to ensure that they meet the Government’s end of March deadline for submission of Local Plans to the Secretary of State and thereby retain control of their housing figures. 

Following parliamentary approval, the planning fee increase came into effect on Wednesday 17th January. All applications will now see an increase of 20% with key cost increases to note:

Many people are familiar with the requirement to obtain planning consent when they plan to adapt, extend, construct or change the use of their building; but once planning consent has been achieved how many people read the small print advising that Building Regulations Consent may also be required.

Congratulations go to Andrew Jenkinson, Partner & Rural Surveyor at Robinson & Hall, Land and Property Professionals, who was crowned Farm Adviser of the Year 2017 at the Farmers Weekly Awards last week.

At Robinson & Hall we are firm believers in undertaking robust investigations into the deliverability and constraints surrounding a site prior to submitting any planning application. 

Central Bedfordshire Council has now published its preferred options for the new Local Plan, which will cover the period from 2015 to 2035.

April this year saw the arrival of new business rates. So what does this mean?

Congratulations go to Andrew Jenkinson, Partner & Rural Surveyor at Robinson & Hall for being shortlisted for the ‘Farm Adviser of the Year’ at the prestigious Farmers Weekly Awards 2017.

A recent national survey stated that owners of commercial buildings have 20% of the wealth in the UK.

Robinson & Hall, Land and Property Professionals detail the top 10 considerations if you own land…..

Robinson Hall have just completed the project management for the conversion of a damp and dark basement to a light, airy and vibrant exhibition space at Bunyan Meeting.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 has now been operative throughout England and Wales for nearly 20 years. Prior to 1997 party wall legislation only applied to London. The origins of party wall matters stem all the way back to the great fire of London in 1666.

Robinson & Hall are delighted to announce the launch of their new website www.robinsonandhall.co.uk With a more modern look and feel and new features, make sure you check it out for yourself today!

On Thursday 29th August, everyone headed to the Bucks County Show at Weedon Park, near Aylesbury, in fact over 26,000 people in total which made it a record breaking year!

Lisa Emms has joined Robinson and Hall as  Lettings Assistant.

From October 2013 all newly built commercial property completed between 1st October 2013 and 30th September 2016 will be exempt from empty property rates for the first 18 months (up to the state aids limit).

New EPC changes came into effect this week which means that an EPC must have been commissioned prior to marketing and obtained within 7 days of the property first being marketed. It is also essential to make the EPC available to prospective buyers and tenants when requested and advertise the EPC’s rating on all advertisements, both print and online. It is no longer necessary, however, to attach the front page of the EPC to written material.

Robinson & Hall’s Property Auction department is now known as Auction House Beds & Bucks due to joining the country’s largest and fastest growing auctioneers, Auction House UK.

Robinson & Hall’s Building Surveying Department are pleased to have been involved in the redevelopment of 20-22 Silver Street which has completely transformed the original shop by separating the unit into two and extending 22 Silver Street to double the retail floor space.

After four years of studying for a Rural Resource Management degree and MsC in Rural Land and Business Management at Reading University, Amelia joins Robinson & Hall as Assistant Rural Surveyor.