Welcome to the first edition of the Housing Property focussed eNews. Here we take an updated look at topical articles from the previous quarter of the year. 

Please note our festive opening hours:

All of our offices will be shut from 2pm on 23 December, re-opening on the 4 January 2021.

We wish you all a lovely break over the festive period and all the best for 2021. 

A Big Boost for Affordable Homes

On the 8th September, Robert Jenirck, the housing secretary, announced a £12.2 billion overall investment in affordable housing. Which does include £700 million on new homes through the 2016 to 2022 programme, along with a new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme which will be delivered over 5 years from 2021 to 2026 and will provide up to 180,000 new homes across the country.

The Social Housing White Paper - A Brief Overview

On the 17th of November 2020 the government released its long-awaited Social Housing White Paper - The Charter for Social Housing Residents - that looks to reset the relationship between Registered Providers, residents and the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH).

Housing Property Team Wreath Making

We have been trying out various ways to help our team feel more connected despite the pandemic. Due to the size of the team (almost 20) we have been unable to all physically meet since March. Having used Flower Design Events for a few of the team’s wedding flowers we jumped at the chance to help them out and have a team building activity also with something nice we can all keep to help continue the Christmas cheer.

Jane at Flower Design Events did a great job teaching us (mostly) novices and added a further layer of interest by explaining the symbolism of a wreath and the various plants we used – she created us a special wreath for 2020 which symbolised Hope, Happiness and Resilience which are 3 things our team has in abundance! We all had a great time – best work from home lunch yet!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a very well-deserved break and a 2021 filled with Hope and Happiness.

Jennifer Hankinson, Partner and Head of Housing and Regeneration (Property)

Permitted Development Rights - are we a step closer to delivering more homes?

The Government has recently implemented two new Statutory Instruments which introduce additional permitted development rights. Both of these rights came into effect on 31 August 2020.

Permanent development rights to add up to two storeys

The first established by The Town and County Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2020 allows existing houses to be extended by up to two storeys.

The new shared ownership model

Is it a step towards addressing the housing problem or does it create more issues than it is worth?

Following the Making Home Ownership Affordable discussion paper in 2019, the government has launched a consultation on the new model to be introduced next spring. The consultation fills in some of the missing detail as to how the new model will work in practice.

Spotlight on...

Shauna Helyer

Paralegal, Housing and Regeneration (Property)

My Role

I work as a Paralegal in the Housing and Regeneration (Property) team after re-joining Forbes in August 2020. I have over 6 years’ experience of working with Registered Providers and have previously worked in house for a Local Authority. I predominantly deal with shared ownership and open market sales including off plan sales.  I also deal with a wide variety of other property transactions including leasehold resales, interim and final staircasing, deeds of variation, right to buy / right to acquire sales and property purchases. I assist our development team with site acquisitions and in my previous roles I have assisted with reviewing and advising on development agreements, easements and the preparation of S106 and S278 Agreements. I deliver training to clients and write blogs to keep clients up to date with recent legal developments.

Qualifications

I have a degree in Law and have passed my Legal Practice Course, both of which I studied part time at the University of Central Lancashire whilst continuing to work as a Paralegal. I hope to qualify as a Solicitor in the near future and I am due to start my Training Contract with Forbes in 2022.

Three word to describe me

Determined, friendly and helpful.

Hobbies and interests

Being a new mum to a 1 year old I don’t have much time to myself these days but at the weekends I love going for a walk to the park with my daughter and seeing family when we can. At the end of the day I like to settle down with a glass of fizz and a good box set – let me know if you have any recommendations! Pre-covid I enjoyed going to festivals and music concerts. My favourite concert was Michael Bublé, who I’ve seen 3 times and was the first dance at my wedding.

Favourite Food and Drink

I love a good Sunday dinner with all the trimmings and Yorkshire puddings with a glass of prosecco on the side. My favourite dessert is sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce but I’m also a chocoholic! My favourite cocktail is a frozen Strawberry Daquiri which takes me back to being on holiday and hopefully we can all go away safely again soon.

Forbes Christmas Choir 2020...

Forbes' staff from across the firm have come together to form the Forbes' Christmas Choir, we hope you enjoy our rendition of Last Christmas!