The decision of the Supreme Court in R (Finch) -v- Surrey County Council and others [2024] UKSC 20 (Finch) has set a clear benchmark for the scope of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken in connection with carbon intensive developments in the UK. However, the Finch case is not just relevant to projects concerning fossil fuel extraction ...
The much-anticipated revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published for consultation on 30 July, with the consultation running until 24 September. The consultation document extends more widely than changes to the NPPF itself, centred around the three pillars of stability, investment and reform. This article looks at the proposed reform. It should be said at the outset that much in the NPPF remains as before and the reforms might be regarded as tweaks ...
Whilst the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) contains a number of potentially game changing new policy proposals, many of the changes aim to re-wind the clock to the pre-December 2023 version of the NPPF. This is to encourage short-term growth through restored stability in the planning system ...
Subsequent to the amendments to the Mining Code and other mining legislation that were introduced by Laws No. 21,420, of February 2022, and No. 21,649, of December 2023, on August 2nd there were published in the Official Gazette the Decrees No. 9 and 10 of the Ministry of Mining, which approved the Regulations on the obligation to submit geological information, and amended the Mining Code Regulations, respectively. Decree No ...
The Welsh Government has given some insight into its direction of travel in terms of implementing the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) in Wales with the publication of the Building Safety Act 2022 Handbook for Wales Design and Construction Phase. This confirms that the BSA will be implemented in Wales in phases. The handbook summarises the work that has commenced in the first stage including: defining what is a higher-risk building in Wales for the design and construction phase ...
Shoosmiths hosts a panel discussion examining Greater Manchester's Places for Everyone spatial strategy following its formal adoption, focusing on the transition from the strategy phase to implementation and delivery. Places for Everyone was formally adopted on 21 March 2024 after a decade in the making ...
Following the adoption of Greater Manchester's Places for Everyone strategy, Shoosmiths brought together real estate experts for a roundtable discussion on approaches to new development, redevelopment, renewable energy provision, and decarbonisation. Greater Manchester has raised the bar for new commercial and residential development in recent years, with cranes now a permanent fixture on a skyline famous for high-rises and construction projects ...
In a judgment decided on the 26th of June 2024 in the names Marcus Scicluna Marshall et vs Michael Borg Cardona, the Court of Appeal in its Inferior Jurisdiction confirmed that no appeal can be filed from the rate established by the Rent Regulation Board to increase the rent for leases predating the year 1995 ...
Today marks a pivotal shift towards a more pro-development approach. This recognises the importance of creating more quality, sustainable, and mixed-tenure homes, boosting residential supply across the UK, and understanding that this is central to delivering the economic growth the country needs. The reinstatement of mandatory housing targets and the strengthening of devolution powers are crucial first steps in accelerating housing provision. If the government aims to meet its 1 ...
The Chancellor’s statement on 8 July 2024 stated that mandatory housing targets will be restored as part of the reform of the National Planning Policy Framework in England and Wales. This is expected to be included in the King’s speech on 17 July. The planning regime in Scotland is devolved and it is the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) that applies. Challenges and court cases followed the publication of NPF4 in February 2023 ...
The Supreme Court has decided that most collateral warranties will not be construction contracts and unanimously allowed the appeal of the Court of Appeal decision in Abbey Healthcare (Mill Hill) Limited v Simply Construct (UK) LLP [2022]. Background Under s.108 of the Housing Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act 1996 (Construction Act), parties to a construction contract have a right to refer disputes arising under those contracts to adjudication ...
A recent appeal case upheld a breach of contract claim over a lifetime rail travel benefit delivered by a third-party provider. We examine the case and how employers can avoid such disputes through clear terms and conditions for employee benefit schemes ...
Greenwashing is a form of marketing that misrepresents a product, service or practice as having positive environmental effects,1 thereby misleading consumers and preventing them from making an informed purchasing decision.2 Several initiatives have been launched around the world to counter this practice. In California, a law requires business entities to disclose information in support of environmental claims ...
Shoosmiths brings together leading developers, asset managers and investors, as well as energy, planning, policy and legal experts, for a roundtable discussion on overcoming power supply challenges to support the delivery of innovative and resilient developments that balance financial and environmental objectives ...
The Automated Vehicles Act (the Act) outlines the safety requirements that manufacturers and operators of automated vehicles will need to meet in order to deploy their goods and services on UK roads. In this article Ben Gardner outlines the key safety areas that will need to be considered ...
On 12 June 2024, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) published its final report, ‘Railway Station Catering Market Study’. It evaluates the effectiveness of competition in station catering and whether the market is delivering value for money for passengers and taxpayers. The ORR has identified barriers to competition, such as limited space and protected leases ...
The Automated Vehicles Act (the Act) outlines how liability will be allocated when an automated vehicle commits a driving offence or is involved in an accident, together with certain information disclosure requirements to support regulatory investigations. In this article Ben Gardner outlines the key issues surrounding liability that will need to be considered ...
A new set of regulations regulating the grant of a temporary emphyteutical concession to the emphyteuta, tenant or operator of Government-owned commercial property came into force on 4th June 2024 in virtue of Legal Notice 131 of 2024 (the “Regulations”) ...
Carey Olsen advises Patron Capital on its latest European real estate fund This is the third Patron Capital fund domiciled in Jersey under the island's well-established Expert Fund regime. Fund VII will continue the to employ Patron Capital's opportunistic investment strategy which focuses primarily on distressed and/or undervalued property and property related investments, mostly in Western Europe, and has a welcome ESG focus ...
The Automated Vehicles Act (the Act) creates a licensing and permitting scheme for operators that intend to use automated vehicles to offer transportation services for passengers and goods. In this article Ben Gardner outlines what potential operators need to consider ...
On December 20, 2022, the federal government's Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations1 (the ?Regulations?) gradually came into force, with the effect, as the name suggests, of prohibiting (or restricting, in certain cases) the manufacture, import and sale of certain single-use plastics that pose a threat to the environment ...
The Automated Vehicles Act (the Act) regulates the marketing of self-driving vehicles, prohibiting the use of misleading terminology or communications that could confuse consumers. In this article Ben Gardner explores how the use of terminology that could mislead consumers will be regulated. The Act has now received Royal Assent and creates a regulatory framework which applies to the deployment and use of automated vehicles on UK roads ...
On 3 May 2024, the Court of Session upheld the Scottish Ministers’ decision to refuse Miller Homes Ltd planning permission for 250 houses in West Calder. The decision is the first occasion on which the Court has considered Policy 16 of the NPF4 (Quality Homes) and confirms the approach to be adopted when considering applications for development of unallocated housing sites in the absence of an adopted local development plan postdating NPF4 ...
Following the announcement of a UK general election, set for Thursday 4 July 2024, the real estate industry now has a unique opportunity to pro-actively engage with policymakers on sustainability – helping shape future regulation and strategy to support meeting the industry’s net zero targets ...
