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Welcome to the 2025 Summer Terrier.
We’re into the second heat wave in Sunny Suffolk. I’m just finding time to prepare this issue in between watering, which is bordering on non-stop. But at least the apricot crop is ripening nicely.
Once more I have all my established and new authors to thank sincerely for contributing to another bumper beach read for members. An especial thanks to ACES’ members who have written, including almost a full house of branch reports (I won’t name and shame the one missing branch!), and a case study which illustrates the broad range of professional expertise ACES members need to harness. Thanks to those branches which have directed me to their speakers who are willing to follow up with articles.
Please look out for information about the National Conference at Bath on 25 September. President Dan Meek and his team are working hard and the programme is well advanced. Take a look at the flyer and link to ACES’ dedicated website. Thanks to our four corporate members who make the conference possible and very affordable, with prices pegged at last year’s rates.
This Terrier has a few themes, but particularly elements of housing and how the government’s ambitious target might be reached. Linked to this are articles on requirements for biodiversity. There are some pieces of interest for the FACES cohort, career-based and experience-based, to encourage young surveyors. Plus professional advice to help with the day job.
Betty Albon, Editor
Summer 2025
ACES Terrier
In this Issue
BENTLEY MEMOIRS
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.
David Bentley
BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN Unlocking value: Open mosaic habitats and the future of BNG
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.
Yvette Black
HEAT NETWORKS Exciting opportunities for local authorities in the heat network sector
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.
Nick Helm
FUTURE HOMES STANDARD The future of the Future Homes Standard
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.
Alan Wright
LA INTERVENTION, WORCESTER Local authority town centre intervention – Worcester Arches final phase
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
Kevin Moore
AI AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Delivering at scale: The AI advantage in modern property management
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.
Sam Caulton
NATURE RECOVERY OPPORTUNITIES The role of the public and private sectors in nature recovery
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.
Jess Bradley
INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE Reimagining our cities and towns: A new era of industrial and infrastructure alignment
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.
Rebekah Formosa
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP Community ownership needs local authority support
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
Mark Walton
TARIFFS AND PROPERTY INVESTMENT New inward investment in the UK property industry?
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.
Kevin Joyce
RED BOOK VALUATIONS Local authority accounting - asset valuations and the Red Book
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.
Donna Best
AIRPORT ROGUE PARKING OPERATORS Possession of land at Heathrow Airport
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.
David Asker
NHS REAL ESTATE CHALLENGES How real estate consultants support health service managers to meet challenge
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.
Rob Burke
APC ASSESSORS Tips for APC assessors
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.
Jen Lemen
ESPRESSO BRIEFINGS Espresso Briefings celebrate 10 years
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.
Andrew Ewbank
VALUER REGISTRATION SCHEME - Local authority valuers and the valuer registration scheme
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.
Donna Best
JOHN READ, NORTH EAST BRANCH
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.
John Read
COMMONHOLD And how will it change property ownership for flat owners?
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.
Mark Chick
PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
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
Andy Jones
LEGACY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS
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.
Johnny Clayton and James Cordery
BROAD MARSH REGENERATION
Discover the saga of Nottingham's Broadmarsh regeneration, a complex project overcoming challenges like the Intu administration and a Section 114 notice, transforming a defunct shopping centre into a vibrant new urban quarter with the help of public-private partnerships.
Phil Farrell
MY LEGACY What has happened to my legacy – Part two
Richard Allen, former President of ACES and a Nottingham City Council veteran, reflects on the transformation of Nottingham since his retirement in 2008, focusing on property decisions, major regeneration projects like Broadmarsh, and the evolving role of public sector property teams. He also highlights the enduring value of ACES membership and networking.
Richard Allen
LOCAL AUTHORITY TRADING COMPANIES Back to the Future? The challenge of building like it's 1977
Jemma Shorrock argues that achieving the government's ambitious housing targets requires a stronger partnership between public and private sectors and increased capacity within local authorities. She highlights the critical shortage of planning officers and the need for renewed investment in the front line to prevent housing applications from stalling.
Jemma Shorrock
HIGH STREET RENTAL AUCTIONS From theory to practice
Dan Gordon, a Senior Policy Advisor at MHCLG, details the High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) powers introduced to combat high street vacancy. He explains how these new regulations, effective from December 2024, empower local authorities to address persistent empty units and stimulate regeneration, citing a successful early intervention in Barnsley.
Dan Gordon
HOUSING CASE STUDY, GERMANY Local authority residential development in Germany: A case study for the UK?
Iain Mulvey explores a German local authority's proactive approach to residential development, where a public development company directly builds housing, captures developer profits, and borrows private sector money. He examines whether this model, which prioritizes community needs and sustainability, could offer solutions to the UK's housing challenges.
Iain Mulvey
HIGH STREET RENTAL AUCTIONS
Dan Gordon, Senior Policy Advisor at MHCLG, explains High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs), a new power for local authorities in England to tackle persistent commercial high street vacancy and revitalise town centres.
Robert Polli
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