Blog
MEET THE NEWBIES: THE PLANNERS
Harris Lamb has been on a major recruitment drive over the past 18 months, expanding the team rapidly as the business grows; but what do the recruits themselves think? We meet the new kids on the block, and find out how they’re getting on. Alisha Paul and John Pearce… Read More
25 YEARS TO REMEMBER
Harris Lamb has marked 25 years in business with an anniversary party for colleagues and clients at Bank restaurant in Birmingham. Founded in May 1992 by Neil Harris and Andrew Lamb, the business has moved from strength to strength over the… Read More
A VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE – REDEVELOPMENT, REFURBISHMENT AND BUSINESS RATES
Harris Lamb has welcomed the long-awaited decision from the Supreme Court following the Monk v Newbigin case. The Court unanimously allowed S J & J Monk’s appeal against the Valuation Office in the long-running case centred around how property undergoing refurbishment or… Read More
Birmingham’s Wholesale Markets to make way for a £500m development
With plans imminent to demolish Birmingham’s Wholesale Markets to make way for a £500m development, city planners are keen to see the huge site utilised for public use in the interim.The historic market site is due to be brought down to bring the… Read More
Moving Day
Malcolm Scott with Jacqui Bayliss and Neil Harris at the St Mary’s Street office It’s been a little over two months since Harris Lamb acquired Malcolm Scott Consultants, and this week saw the six-strong MSC team make the… Read More
JOHN WHO?
Last week saw something pretty monumental happen – and it had nothing to do with the EU.You might have missed it in the Brexit furore, but Worcester became the first place to ever to say “no” to a John Lewis store.Councillors refused planning permission for Land Securities to build a £150m… Read More
FROM HUMBLE ROOTS: HOW UK GARDEN CENTRES HAVE FLOURISHED INTO ALL-DAY DESTINATION ATTRACTIONS
I attended the HTA Catering conference at The Belfry earlier this month as part of the panel of experts. As usual, the event was full of new ideas that I was keen to pick up on. Our team has an excellent reputation across the UK and beyond for creative design… Read More
Lawful Use Certificates Explained…
Anyone who’s ever enhanced their business with an extension or added an extra income stream courtesy of a change of use knows that to do so within the law, you need to apply for, and achieve, planning permission. But because planning can be a lengthy process and some businesses… Read More
Building Obsolescence and the Challenges for Building Surveyors
How long will my building last? Not a question that many people ask frankly but everyone in property should consider the implications around property lifecycles more carefully. The reaction to the age of buildings can vary depending on your place in the property market, if presented with a 20 year… Read More
Demolition Desires: Do i need planning permission to demolish a building
It sounds like people have grand plans ahead, as Harris Lamb’s planning team has been deluged with enquiries regarding the necessity of obtaining permission from local authorities before demolishing buildings. Fortunately, Sam Silcocks is on hand to help. As you’d expect from a… Read More
What are Planning Departments ‘Special Measures?’
The news last week that Bromsgrove District Council’s Planning Department had gone into ‘special measures’ has wide implications for the Midlands property market, but what does it mean. Mid December and the Department for Communities and Local Government served the designation notice on the planning service at Bromsgrove, despite… Read More
Royal Mail – The New Property Company?
One of my colleagues Blogged a few months ago about the potential for some large companies to focus more on their property assets than perhaps they have done in the past. The trend for more intensive development on sites, particularly inner urban locations in the south east has grown stronger… Read More
HARRIS LAMB ANTICIPATES HIGH DEMAND FOR THE LAST KING
Harris Lamb has been appointed as the sole agent for the last available high quality office space in excess of 20,000 sq ft within Worcester and between junctions 1-9 of the M5 Corridor. At more than 31,000 sq ft, 3 Kings Court has become available following Shop… Read More
The Challenges of acting as an LPA advisor
From a commercial property viewpoint an easing of credit and availability of finance for property lending will provide some real impetus to growth. My colleague Neil Slade talked about a shortage of new development where demand exists but credit is difficult and I thought it was worth supporting Neil’s piece… Read More
Working with Trusted Contractors
“But aren’t all contractors trustworthy?” Well; I’m sure they are or the vast majority of them are. It is worth making the point though that whether a consultant or a client it pays to work with those you can place your trust in and we see the benefits of this… Read More