David Bentley, now semi-retired and running a successful B&B in the Scottish Highlands, recounts part one of his New Zealand adventure. From navigating a last-minute tour change to a thrilling night walk where he encountered four elusive kiwi birds, his journey highlights unexpected joys and challenges.

Tom Procter and Yvette Black of JLL explore the potential of Open Mosaic Habitats (OMHs) in meeting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements. They highlight how transforming brownfield sites into habitat banks can not only achieve ecological targets but also generate revenue, offering a unique opportunity for local authorities and developers.

Nick Helm and Adam Hulme highlight the significant opportunities for local authorities in developing heat networks. They discuss how these networks can help achieve net-zero targets and lower costs, while emphasizing the increasing regulatory support and the critical need for legal expertise in navigating procurement and real estate complexities.

Alan Wright, a Senior Architectural Technician with 19 years of experience in residential architecture, shares professional insights and personal experiences on the Future Homes Standard (FHS). He discusses the challenges and benefits of the proposed changes, including the new Home Energy Model (HEM), and recounts his own "experiment" in retrofitting his 1970s home to meet stringent energy efficiency standards.

Kevin Moore of Worcester City Council details the complex and rewarding project to demolish 56 Foregate Street, creating a vital link between Worcester City Centre and the River Severn, transforming the railway arches into a vibrant destination, and showcasing the impact of proactive council intervention

Sam Caulton of Re-Leased argues that AI is transforming property management, enabling firms to scale operations and elevate service quality. He emphasizes that AI enhances, rather than replaces, the property manager's role, shifting focus from manual tasks to proactive, strategic management and deeper tenant relationships.

Jess Bradley explores the expanding natural capital markets in the UK, highlighting opportunities for landowners and businesses in biodiversity, carbon, and other ecosystem services. She emphasizes the crucial role of public sector policy and funding stability in attracting private investment to achieve nature recovery goals.

Rebekah Formosa of Lambert Smith Hampton outlines how the government's 2025 Industrial and Infrastructure Strategies present a blueprint for transforming UK cities and towns. She emphasizes the critical role of local authorities in securing funding by adopting a holistic approach to regeneration that integrates social, environmental, and economic value.

With the Community Ownership Fund closed, Mark Walton of Shared Assets argues that local authorities are now crucial in supporting community asset ownership, acting as landowners, facilitators, and regulators to empower communities and revitalize neighborhoods

Kevin Joyce explores the unexpected opportunities for UK property investment arising from global tariff trade wars. He discusses how investor sentiment is shifting away from volatile markets, potentially positioning the UK as an attractive destination for new inward investment through strategic alliances, joint ventures, and mergers.

Donna Best, FRICS, offers crucial insights for local authority valuers on Red Book compliance and asset valuations, drawn from common queries and RICS's free compliance workshop. She clarifies who can perform these valuations, the importance of independence, and how to demonstrate adequate supervision when signing off reports.

David Asker, an authorized High Court Enforcement Officer, details a recent operation at Heathrow Airport to evict a rogue valet parking operator from private land. He explains the increasing issue of unauthorized parking services at airports and recounts the challenges faced during the swift, single-day possession, highlighting the expertise required for such high-profile enforcement.

Rob Burke, Lead Director for Building Surveying at Watts Group, discusses the complex challenges of real estate in the NHS. He highlights how consultants support health service managers in managing diverse properties, from major new builds to routine maintenance, while addressing unique clinical requirements, social impact goals, and financial constraints.

Jen Lemen of Property Elite provides valuable tips for RICS APC assessors, highlighting the rewarding nature of the voluntary role. She covers the numerous benefits of becoming an assessor, from supporting new surveyors and networking to enhancing personal skills and keeping up-to-date with industry standards, and offers practical advice for conducting effective interviews.

Andrew Ewbank of Avison Young celebrates a decade of Espresso Briefings, their free CPD series for public sector estates professionals. The article highlights the anniversary event, which revisited the impact of the Elizabeth Line, and lists a wide range of topics covered over 60+ sessions, emphasizing their value in continuous learning.

This article clarifies common misconceptions about the RICS Valuer Registration Scheme (VRS) for local authority valuers, explaining how councils can register as Sponsoring Non-Regulated Organisations (SPONROs) and the obligations for both the authority and individual Registered Valuers.

A summary of the North East Branch meetings, featuring insights from a SOLACE guest on recruitment and retention challenges and strategies, as well as an overview of the live meeting's diverse CPD program covering property, planning, and public sector topics.

Mark Chick, a leading UK authority in leasehold reform, explains commonhold—a little-used property ownership form that might gain prominence with the government's Commonhold White Paper. He outlines the pros and cons of this alternative to traditional leasehold, detailing its potential impact on flat owners in England and Wales.

Will Labour change permitted development rights? Andy Jones, property investment expert Andy has worked in the private rented sector for over 25 years and joined Leaders Romans Group from his previous role at Greystones Management Consultancy where he advised clients on property investments across the UK. He has experience dealing with all property services, from lettings to managing and disposing of large scale institutional owned property portfolios. Previously, Andy was Ma

Explore the evolving concept of "legacy" in housing developments with experts Johnny Clayton and James Cordery of Carter Jonas. This article delves into how legacy principles, rooted in the work of The King's Foundation, are shaping new communities, adding value, and influencing the future of urban design and strategic land projects.