Public Relations

Solar so good: proving that small scale solar PV works

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:06:00 GMT

Solar Photovoltaic (solar PV) is a renewable energy technology which remains supported by the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) scheme. While large scale projects attract the headlines, more and more small scale schemes are coming through to prove their worth for owners.

CASE STUDY

City centre apartment block
The client was looking for a way to reduce energy costs in communal areas and common parts which included four, passenger lifts. Carter Jonas advise on a solar PV rooftop scheme means that the client is looking to pay a dividend to the flat owners, rather than the owners just looking at a reduced maintenance charge for the communal areas.

In a recent speech, the Minister of State for Climate Change, the Rt Hon Gregory Barker MP, asserted that the Coalition Government's commitment to putting Solar Photovoltaic at the heart of the UK's energy mix.

The Minister also described solar PV as "…increasingly affordable.." referencing that fact that a revised subsidy structure would give "higher levels of support to building-mounted solar PV."

Solar PV product prices have been reducing at a time when the consumer retail prices are rising – putting solar PV energy generators in a keen position when it comes to exporting energy to the grid, benefiting from an increase in wholesale costs now and on the horizon.

CASE STUDY

Commercial premises roof space
As well as assessing the viability of placing a 50kW scheme for the client, Carter Jonas conducted the tendering for an engineering procurement and construction contractor, secured relevant planning permission and grid consent. We were retained beyond the appointment of the contractor to manage the work through to its successful conclusion.

A typical 50kW (kilowatt) system can come in well below £55,000 with scope for returns of 10 per cent, rising to 15 per cent or more when considering energy savings too.

We're finding that for clients with 300 sq m of south-facing ground or roof space, solar PV is proving the renewable energy technology of choice as a quick and cost effective investment with the benefit of reducing on-site energy costs.

Unlike other technologies available in the sector, there is minimal development and, in most cases, no contentious planning hurdles to overcome.

Solar PV schemes can provide a good source of income during their lifespan.

CASE STUDY

Series of agricultural roofs
Assessment of a number of roofs for the provision of a 200kW array of installations was the fist part of a brief for a client which meant Carter Jonas obtained planning and grid consents and managed the approved contractor.

Carter Jonas – whose energy and marine team has been operational in the sector since 2006 – has a proven track record in bringing forward solar PV schemes to meet clients' needs in varied land and property settings

Our established property and land credentials put us as central to pulling projects together for clients. Looking at solar PV schemes, we like to get in from the beginning.

CASE STUDY

Local authority farms
A feasibility study, undertaken as part of a new framework agreement between Carter Jonas and a county council client, assessed the deployment of ground-mounted solar PV schemes as the most suitable renewable energy technology for on-farm locations at either end of the county. Playing a quality control role saw us overseeing the installation of the schemes which power various operations on the two fruit farms.

Grid connectivity remains as one of the most fundamental elements to a solar PV project.

Feasibility studies and project appraisals mean clients see us as the lynchpin in managing both the tender process and the construction work and any associated development matters.

We remain at the heart of the project in dealing with the minutiae of agreements with engineering contractors and the distribution network operator – ie the central grid – on behalf of clients.

At a more strategic level, our network of professional contacts can be called upon when it comes to capital funding.

CASE STUDY

Institutional landowner
A current project for one of the country's leading landowners, sees Carter Jonas concluding an initial feasibility study on two landholdings of circa 12,000 acres for 7 possible solar PV rooftop schemes on agricultural buildings. Detailed enquiries with the distribution network operator, planning authorities and agricultural tenants are ongoing and are key in us progressing this project on behalf of the client who retains our services on a number of land and property matters.

And, having been advising land and property owners on all the renewable energy technology options for as long as we have, we're plugged-in to the sector's key developers – large or small.

We're in a position to advise on many aspects to make sure that solar PV projects carry on proving their worth for private, commercial, statutory or institutional clients.

To find out more about small scale solar PV scheme viability on land or property you own, contact the Carter Jonas team in the Eastern Region.

Officially the best day to sell your home

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:07:00 GMT

Carter Jonas reveals this May weekend to be the best time of year to launch your property to market

15 May 2013, Discovering the right time to sell your house can be crucial in getting the best price but, for years, the general advice from estate agents has been: The Spring.

Now leading national estate agency Carter Jonas has pinpointed the exact day based on local intelligence and research through a survey of its 79 country residential agents.

18 May is the date allowing homeowners to maximise their home’s appeal be it for selling, renting or hosting the perfect wedding.

Mark Charter, head of Oxford’s Carter Jonas office said: “Clients always want to know when to sell. So rather than give the generic answer, we set about finding the exact answer.

“18 May is midway between the two Bank Holidays, before summer half term when the weather is kindest, with the grass looking lush and weather permitting, the wisteria in bloom.

“The date fits in neatly with buyers looking to move during the summer holiday, given 8-10 weeks from offer to completion, and should allow good pictures to be taken in late April/early May.

“It’s not only about when is the best time to sell your house and garden but also about when is the best time to visit one of the many gardens open to the public through the National Gardens Scheme or National Trust or even the best time to host a summer wedding either at your house or at a wedding venue.

“There are always busier or quieter times in the housing market’s calendar and sometimes people need to sell at a different time of the year. But for those who know that they want to sell and want their house and garden to be at their peak to attract the best price, our research shows that 18 May is the solution.

“As you would expect, with the ever changing weather in the UK, the result might differ from year to year. But our research means we can pinpoint when their gardens will be in full bloom and the outside of houses looking their most beautiful. With the wet summers we have been experiencing, we do allow for a bit of movement either side but this year we hope for a good Spring and Summer.”

Highcroft House in Oxfordshire is launching this week with a guide price of £2.75m. For further information please call Carter Jonas, Oxford on 01865 511 444

Permitted development rights

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:59:00 GMT

Changes to Permitted Development rights for change of use from Offices to Residential

On 24th January 2013 the Chief Planning Officer announced several proposed changes to permitted development rights, including new provisions that will allow a change of use from B1(a) offices to C3 residential purposes. Such a change of use currently requires planning permission.

Many local planning authorities have policies in their Local Plans that seek to restrict the change of use of offices to residential accommodation, unless certain stringent criteria can be met. The proposed change to permitted development rights will remove the uncertainty currently facing many property owners, as local planning authorities (with some exceptions, see below) will no longer be able to challenge the principle of converting office buildings (and other buildings used as offices) into residential accommodation.

What will this change in Permitted Development Rights allow?
Change of use from B1(a) offices to C3 residential. This could include the upper floors of office accommodation in town and city centres, some rural offices forming part of a country estate, or indeed office accommodation created from the conversion of traditional farm buildings.

When are the new Permitted Development Rights coming into force?
The Government has advised that the new Permitted Development Rights will come into force in spring 2013 (with recent reports suggesting a start date of 30th May 2013) and will initially run for a three year period. The operation of the rights will be considered towards the end of that period, and the rights could be extended for a further period or indefinitely.

Where will the new Permitted Development Rights apply?
The Permitted Development Rights will apply nationally, although some areas may be given an exemption. The Government gave Local Planning Authorities the opportunity to apply for an exemption – with submissions to be received by 22nd February 2013. The Government only intends to grant exemptions in exceptional circumstances. It is understood that the majority of the London boroughs and bigger cities in England have applied to be exempt.

Does this mean I can just proceed with the development?
No. Whilst planning permission will not usually be required there will still be a Prior Notification procedure. The Government is yet to announce the details, but it is envisaged that the Prior Notification procedure will be similar to the process required to erect an agricultural building under Agricultural Permitted Development Rights. The main purpose of this procedure is to cover significant transport and highway impacts, development in high flood risk areas, contamination issues and safety hazard zones.

As part of the Prior Notification procedure, the Council will not be able to query the acceptability of the principle of development. If external alterations are required to the building, such as the creation of a separate access to the upper floors, or new windows and doors, planning permission will be required. However, this will relate simply to the alterations – not the change of use. There may also be an additional requirement for listed building consent to allow alterations (including internal) to listed buildings.

Building regulations will continue to apply as normal. Other Changes to Permitted Development Rights

In addition to the headline change in Permitted Development Rights (as outlined above) the Government has announced a further change aimed at helping to promote rural prosperity and job creation. Agricultural buildings will be able to convert to a range of other uses (excluding residential dwellings). There will be a size restriction and, for conversions above a set size, a prior approval process will be put in place to guard against unacceptable impacts, such as transport and noise. There is currently no further information available on the size thresholds or timetable for the implementation of these changes.

Investment Opportunity at Agglethorpe Estate

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:50:00 GMT

Friday 19th April 2013, A rare opportunity to acquire an historic agricultural & sporting estate in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales has arisen with the coming to market of the Agglethorpe Estate near Middleham, in Coverdale.

The Manor of Agglethorpe is first documented in the Domesday Book around 1086 and the estate has been in private ownership since the early 1900’s after it was purchased by Sir Frank Brown and was subsequently passed to his relatives the Rettie family.

More recently, the estate was the former holiday bolt hole of noted foreign correspondent the late John Rettie who for nearly half a century wrote for the Guardian and Reuters, as well as broadcasting for the BBC World Service. The estate is now being sold by his son James, also a national journalist, who currently still lives at the Estate.

Comprising 500 acres of land rising up to Middleham High Moor, the Estate includes 60 acres of woodland with shooting and fishing rights and comes complete with three secure agricultural tenancies, all with farmhouses including the 17th Century Grade II Listed Agglethorpe Hall which once formed the centre of the estate.

The estate generates a current rental income of £24,000 with rent reviews initiated for April 2014. Sporting rights are included with the sale and have been actively pursued by the Rettie family working in partnership with the tenants.

An additional property, which includes a small area of woodland and stone barns which are currently used as a shoot room & store, is available by separate negotiation.

Tom Whitehead of Carter Jonas’ Harrogate office who is handling the sale comments “the Agglethorpe Estate offers a varied and manageable traditional rural estate in a particularly sought-after location where very little land has historically been sold and there are varied sporting and investment opportunities throughout the property”

The estate is being offered with a guide price of £1.75m and will be publically launched from Friday 3rd May.

Carter Jonas Prime Central London Residential Sales & Lettings Report - Spring 2013

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:04:00 GMT

PRIME CENTRAL LONDON SALES MARKET

The PCL sales market continues to remain volatile at the local level although overall trading activity has increased during Q1 2013, with viewing numbers rising by an encouraging 24% in the first three months of the year.

While applicant numbers have only risen by 2% during the same time period, domestic purchasers have dominated activity in Q1 and are expected to remain active moving into the summer months. That said, foreign buyers are expected to become more active moving into Q2, particularly from Asia. Middle Eastern activity has remained muted to date in 2013 although demand from Egyptian investors has witnessed a notable increase.

Stock levels across PCL continue to remain restrained, falling by 15% during Q1 2013 across our network of offices, and realistically priced and good quality product tends to sell well and above 2007 levels. However, due to the historically low stock levels evident throughout the market, there is an increasing temptation for vendors to price product six months ahead and therefore some values have become inflated which has, in some instances, stalled activity.

Prices have stabilised in Q1 2013, with only the very prime markets witnessing value increases of 2-3%. Market conditions are forecast to become more challenging during the latter half of 2013 in terms of maintaining values and early indications of 2014 are no different.

PRIME CENTRAL LONDON LETTINGS MARKET

The PCL lettings market has experienced a challenging first three months of the year. An 8% reduction in achieved rental levels across our network of offices was recorded during Q1 2013. This downward pressure is a result of a sharp increase in rental stock levels since 2012 year end as a significant proportion of landlords continue to retain portfolios due to stabilising and, in the case of prime stock, rising capital values. Despite the reduction in rental values recorded in Q1 2013, the average weekly rent recorded across our network of offices stands at £878 per week, a 10% increase from its comparable level in 2012.

An early Easter restricted applicant numbers across the market, although most recent numbers show an 8% increase compared to January levels and viewing numbers increasing by 36% over the same time period, marking a positive indication for market activity in Q2.

International demand continues to dominate the PCL lettings market, accounting for 64% of all completed transactions in Q1 2013. Interestingly demand has stemmed from a wide diversity of occupiers, including French, American and Chinese with no particular domination of any one nationality.

Stock levels are expected to continue to increase moving into the summer months and as a consequence values are expected to remain subject to downward pressure in the PCL market. This is in sharp contrast to the country lettings market where an acute shortage of supply is evident, partially due to the sale of many properties due to the ongoing economic malaise. This growing shortage of stock has resulted in a 33% increase in rental levels recorded during Q1 2013.

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