By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property  There are many issues facing us today: climate change and productivity are probably the two most important, and both are linked and impact upon the built environment. The Connected Places Catapult, the Government-backed centre for excellence for innovation in mobility and the …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property Current developments in Essex and the south east was the topic of the Built Environment Networking Event in Chelmsford In November. Speakers from North East Garden Communities, Chelmsford City Council, South East LEP, L&G Affordable Homes and CHP Housing, detailed the future …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property In this issue’s round-up we are looking at what is going on around Essex. Malden remains the only council in Essex to have an up-to-date local plan, although Chelmsford may well soon be the second.  Basildon has seen some political turmoil already this …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property The prime central London sales and letting markets are key barometers to market sentiment, and an indicator of how the rest of the UK will move in the coming months. Knight Frank issued its monthly update earlier indicating a fall in May of …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property One of the biggest upsets in the local elections was in Uttlesford where the local residents party, Residents 4Uttlesford, overturned a significant Conservative majority to take the council. The Conservatives lost 19 of its 23 seats and the residents gained 17 giving them …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property The politics of Basildon Council never provides a dull moment: for the fourth time, in as many years, the administration has changed hands again. The May local elections saw the council move into ‘no overall control’ with the Conservatives losing two seats and …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property The dust is settling following the dramatic May local elections in which the two main parties saw very significant losses. Ordinarily, the party in power would be expected to lose members mid-term and for the opposition to pick them up, but that did …

By Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property The Built Environment Network Group held a Hertfordshire Development Plans event in Stevenage in May. Speakers included Hertfordshire County Council, the University of Hertfordshire and Places for People.  Patsy Dell, assistant director strategic planning, infrastructure and economy at Hertfordshire County Council, described the context and efforts of …