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All Articles
ACES Terrier

Terrier Winter 2025
The winter issue of ACES Terrier Journal


AI AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT The collision of AI in the UK's public sector - A transformative opportunity for property managers
Artificial Intelligence is not just a passing trend—it's a transformative opportunity for property managers in the public sector. This article explores how AI can streamline property management tasks, from automating data collection to improving strategic asset management and addressing climate change objectives.

Sam Caulton
5 min read


NET ZERO SUM GAME Decarbonising the residential estate: A case study
Sarah Butler of Drees & Sommer UK presents a case study on Manchester City Council's ambitious decarbonisation program for its residential and corporate estates. This article explores the strategies, challenges, and innovative approaches, including AI and GIS analysis, used to achieve net zero targets, reduce fuel poverty, and improve residents' quality of life.

Sarah Butler
6 min read


ENTERPRISE AND DATA CENTRES Seeking an answer in the clouds …….
Seeking an answer in the clouds, this article explores the relationship between Enterprise, Data Centres, and the future of cloud computing.

Kevin Clark
7 min read


NON-DOMESTIC RATING ACT 2023 Mandatory business rates compliance obligations imminent - Are you prepared for the change?
The Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023 introduces a significant 'Duty to Notify' for ratepayers. This article explores the new compliance obligations, marking a "seismic shift" in the administrative framework of business rates and a first step towards self-assessment.

Helen Gelsthorpe
3 min read


PROCUREMENT ACT 2023 Get ready for the new public procurement regime!
Jo Pickering and Raechel Slattery, specialists at Sharpe Pritchard, provide an overview of the new public procurement regime introduced by the Procurement Act 2023. The Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2023, is set to go live in February 2025. This article emphasizes the importance for all public authorities to become familiar with the new legislation, which repeals several existing regulations and consolidates them into a single piece of primary legislation. The a

Raechel Slattery And Jo Pickering
5 min read


VULNERABILITY OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS The UK’s climate is changing fast: that’s going to cause us real problems - unless we can adapt public sector buildings successfully
The UK's climate is changing rapidly, which presents significant challenges for public sector buildings. This article explores the vulnerability of these assets and the urgent need to adapt them to withstand the impacts of a changing climate.

Karl Limbert
8 min read


HISTORIC PLACES PANEL Historic towns, new society
As Chair of the Historic Places Panel, Benjamin Derbyshire shares insights into the panel's work to revitalise historic towns and high streets across the UK. He argues that people and community engagement are the "well-spring for recreating faltering places."

Benjamin Derbyshire
6 min read


BNG AND HEALTH The benefits of biodiversity net gain for the health care industry
This blog post explores how Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and biophilic design can be applied to healthcare facilities, using a case study from a Welsh project. It highlights the benefits for patient recovery, staff wellbeing, and the environment, demonstrating that even small-scale initiatives can have a significant positive impact.

Sowmya Shah
5 min read


SHARED OWNERSHIP What should the government do to support first time buyers?
Shared ownership is an established and increasingly popular alternative for first-time buyers, especially with the absence of the Help to Buy scheme. However, with the government not promoting shared ownership in recent housing policies, there is a risk that this crucial pathway to homeownership may be overlooked.

Peter Hawley
3 min read


CPO AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING Consideration of the government’s proposals to strengthen local authorities’ CPO powers to deliver affordable housing
This article examines the government's proposals to strengthen local authorities' Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers, with the aim of delivering more affordable housing.

Robert Smith And Paul Astbury
6 min read


YOUNG PROFESSIONALS 1 The importance of young voices in inspiring long-term visions
Planning is about the future, yet consultations often fail to engage young people who have the greatest stake in it. This article explores how ambitious plans for cities like Cambridge can shift the balance toward younger voices through innovative consultation methods.

John Mason
4 min read


HOUSING RETROFIT Tackling poverty, health, and building community resilience
Dr. Rory Moan’s lecture challenges us to re-evaluate the purpose and design of the built environment. He argues for a shift away from a top-down, "master-planning" approach to one that is more organic, resilient, and responsive to the needs of local communities and sustainable development.

Rachel Moan
6 min read


FOREVER CHEMICALS PFAS and the development sector
As the issue of "forever chemicals," or PFAS, becomes a critical consideration in the development sector, this article examines the challenges and complexities they present. Drawing on the expertise of Callum Ross, this post explores the impact of these chemicals on real estate projects, including contamination, remediation, and contractual negotiations.

Callum Ross
5 min read


AGM PANEL PRESENTATION Affordable housing and viability
A panel of young talent from Fieldfisher and Lambert Smith Hampton, chaired by Antony Phillips, provided a CPD session at the ACES Annual Meeting. The discussion covered the pressing challenges in the affordable housing market, key market drivers affecting development viability, and the complexities of site assembly.

Anthony Phillips
13 min read


AI ACCURACY Did AI just lie to me and smile about it?
As Artificial Intelligence becomes more advanced and integrated into professional fields like estate surveying, it raises a critical question: Can we truly rely on its output? This article explores the challenges of trusting AI-generated advice and compares it to the "comfortable old days" of paper-based information.

Dave Pogson
6 min read


HERDWICK SWANSONG
Dave Pogson, a retired surveyor with 50 years of experience in Lancashire and Cumbria, reflects on his life in the Lake District and the inspiration behind his "Selwyn Series" and "Herdwick Tales." He delves into the unique Lakeland dialect, sharing amusing and insightful encounters with local characters, including the fictional poet Walter Winster.

Dave Pogson
11 min read


THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP Facing the future – Supporting the next generation of surveyors
Jen Lemen, a chartered surveyor and founder of Property-Elite, shares her passion for mentorship and supporting the next generation of surveyors. This article explores the importance of professional development and the structured support needed to help young professionals excel in the surveying industry.

Jen Lemen
4 min read
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