020 7538 0102
6th February 2015
Figures from the Bank of England have revealed that the number of new mortgages approved to house buyers in December rose slightly to 60,275. This is the first rise in approvals since June 2014, but the number is still 17% down on December 2013. Lenders have granted fewer approvals over the last few months following the introduction of tougher borrowing checks and limits on high-risk loans in April 2014. However, the recent rise may now see activity in the property market pick up. Howard Archer of IHS Global Insight warned that too much should not be read into one month’s data, but added that it may suggest “the weakening in housing market activity may be drawing to a close".
The Times (31/01/15)
6th February 2015
London's population has topped 8.6m, the highest since its 1939 peak, the Greater London Authority has revealed. The figures show Hillingdon has had the greatest growth in population. Mayor Boris Johnson said the figure was predicted to reach 11m by 2050. He added the capital was the "best big city on the planet" but said more financial control was needed to fund key infrastructure, like housing.
BBC News (03/02/14)
30th January 2015
Tower Hamlets’ Local Planning Authority has approved a new 53-storey residential-led tower at Meridian Gate on the Isle of Dogs. Part of the Marsh Wall East masterplan area and located next to West India Docks, the tower will consist of over 400 one, two and three-bed apartments, with balconies, winter gardens and terraces, providing private external space and views of the capital. The slimline tower was designed by architect Make, at the behest of joint developers Meridian Property Holdings and LBS Properties, and will also include office space and a new public realm at its base, featuring cafés, public gardens, and a children’s play area.
Construction News (30/01/15)
30th January 2015
A former flour factory in Silvertown is set to be transformed in a multi-million pound project which will create 3,000 new homes, with 39% designated as affordable accommodation. The iconic Millennium Mills building will be redeveloped, with a new bridge linking it to Custom House. A further planning application will be handed to Newham Council next month; if the scheme gets final approval, the first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2017.
Newham Recorder (27/01/15)
30th January 2015
The Standard reports that the average London house price rose 1.8% to £464,936 in December, meaning it now stands 16.3% above the average price registered in the same month in 2013. The biggest annual rises were registered in Waltham Forest (25..1%) and Newham (24.2%).
Evening Standard (29/01/15)
30th January 2015
A Qatari-led bid has won the battle to take over London's Canary Wharf complex from majority owner Songbird, after three of its major shareholders agreed to accept the £2.6bn offer.
Financial Times (28/01/15)