I have a number of tenants applying for rental concessions. What should I be aware of when assessing these applications?
Michael Hardy, associate director in lease advisory department at property consultant Lee Baron responds:
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First, entering into this type of agreement reinforces that the landlord and tenant relationship is a partnership …

I plan to develop a retail and leisure scheme with a local authority but the land is burdened with a restriction against the sale of alcoholic beverages.  Apart from trying to remove that restriction in the Lands Tribunal are there any other ways of proceeding with the scheme?
Tim Johnson, partner …

By Berwin Leighton Paisner partners Tim Smith and Vicky Fowler
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The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), part of the Planning Act 2008, will come into force on 6 April 2010.
Here, Tim Smith and Vicky Fowler from law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner give answers and advice to the questions frequently asked by …

By Chris Edge, associate at HOW Planning
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The government’s latest attempt to encourage economic development, whilst sticking with the principle of ‘town centre first’, has culminated in the publication of Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) in late 2009.
The question is: how does this guidance differ from PPS6 and how does it …

I am a developer and the council wants me to enter into a service level agreement to govern the process for dealing with my application.  Is this a good idea?
Karen Cooksley, partner and head of planning and regeneration at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse, responds:
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These are more commonly known as …

I work for a local authority and we are funding local improvements using section 106 agreements. How will this be affected by the forthcoming Community Infrastructure Levy?
Anne Harrison, environmental and planning specialist at law firm Beachcroft, responds:
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The Government indicated in the 2009 Budget that the Community Infrastructure Levy …

I manage properties for an NHS foundation trust. How can I manage my estate more efficiently so I can make savings?
Mike Bothamley, head of the real estate sector at law firm Beachcroft, responds:
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There are a range of possible options open to you: some strategic and some operational.
First, at the strategic …

I work for a council planning department. Developers are asking me about Tax Increment Financing. What do I need to know?

Alistair Parker, partner in development and planning at Cushman & Wakefield, responds:
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Tax Increment Finance (TIF) is an American fiscal tool that uses future gains in taxes to …

By Karen Cooksley, partner at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse
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Planning committees often resolve to refuse permission for a development without a crucial piece of information in the officers’ written and verbal reports. Here is what you can do to help avoid that situation:

1) Check the documents yourself

You are …

I work for a council estates team. We don’t have the money to develop our properties. Would a Local Asset Backed Vehicle (LABV) help with this?’
Alistair Parker, partner in development and planning at Cushman & Wakefield, responds:

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A Local Asset Based Vehicle (LABV) is a limited liability special purpose …