News
Welcome to our news page. Here you will find out what we’re up to and what we think about recent events and future possibilities.
Consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework
On 22 December 2022 the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities issued consultation on its proposed approach to updating the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and proposals for preparing National Development Management Policies (NDMP).
RIGHT TO SHARED OWNERSHIP: Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issues new guidance for tenants
DLUHC issued a press release and new guidance on 22/12/2022 for tenants concerning the “Right to Shared Ownership”.
HELP TO BUY UPDATE: Homes England issues updated guidance on the 31 December 2022 “First Completion Date”
On 14 December 2022 Homes England provided updated guidance on its enforcement of the upcoming 31 December 2022 “First Completion Date” for practical completion of Help to Buy funded units.
Devonshires act for Engage Financial Services on acquisition of IFA
Devonshires are delighted to have acted for Engage Financial Services on the acquisition of another IFA, Kench & Co.
Government launches new pilot ‘Medium Rise Scheme’
Within the built environment, 2022 will be looked back upon as the year when building safety truly came to the fore: five years after London’s Grenfell tragedy, the Government ushered in its landmark Building Safety Act 2022 and new fire safety regulations come into force next month.
Homes England has updated guidance and forms in the Capital Funding Guide concerning “Key Information Documents”
As at 02/12/2022 Homes England has updated paragraphs 11.3.1 and 11.3.6 of the Shared Ownership section of the Capital Funding Guide so as to update all Key Information Documents for homes provided through AHP 2021 to 2026.
Devonshires act for GreenSquareAccord on their issue of £400m sustainability linked bonds
We are delighted to have acted for GreenSquareAccord on their issue of £400m sustainability linked bonds.
European Court of Human Rights – O.P. v. the United Kingdom: A statement on behalf of the Rt Hon Owen Paterson
In October last year, our client, Mr Owen Paterson was found by the House of Commons Committee on Standards to have, in the Committee’s words, “used his privileged position as a Member of Parliament to secure benefits for two companies for whom he was a paid consultant…” The Committee described Mr Paterson’s alleged actions as “an egregious case of paid advocacy.”
Government updates its Capital Funding Guide to permit the Recycled Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) to use for fire safety works
Earlier this month, the Government updated Chapter 7 of its Capital Funding Guide which sets out the rules and requirements for grant funded schemes (as well as occasional nil grant schemes) which grant recipients must follow.
Autumn Statement confirms rent cap of 7%
Jeremy Hunt has announced that social and affordable rent increases will be capped at 7% as of April 2023 for a period of 12 months to combat the cost of living crisis and in response to “unprecedent global headwinds” the country is facing.
Welsh Government caps rent at 6.5% for 2023
Social rents in Wales will rise by a maximum of 6.5% from April 2023 under a new settlement announced by the minister for climate change, Julie James.
Housing Ombudsman issues call for evidence on record keeping – responses due by 23 December 2022
The Housing Ombudsman has issued a call for evidence to support its next investigation which will look at record keeping and data management.
