Major Shake Up of Planning Rules Comes Into Effect

On the 30 May 2013 extensive changes to permitted development rights including measures allowing offices to be converted into homes without planning permission were introduced.

The changes to the General Permitted Development Order also included a significant increase in the limits of household extensions and rules to enable the conversion of existing buildings including offices, hotels, care homes, cinemas and concert halls to state-funded schools without the requirement of planning consent.

Prior to the introduction of the new rules the communities secretary Eric Pickles commented that they would help “put to good use” the “many disused existing buildings we have”.

Paul Carpenter Wins Golf Trophy

Paul Carpenter won a prize at his recent golf day - clearly not for the best dressed golfer!

Changes at Tolhurst Fisher

Tolhurst Fisher is pleased to be able to announce two significant changes to the commercial property department at our Chelmsford office.

Mark Cornelius has joined us as of the 1st May from another firm and will be working alongside Caroline Homewood and the rest of the commercial team.

We are also delighted to announce that Paul Carpenter is now a partner in the commercial property department. He will be continuing his great work doing a mix of high value residential, property development and general commercial.

Clearly the last few years have been difficult for law firms with the state of the wider economy, but we are hugely optimistic about the future of this firm. These two appointments are representative of our commitment to having the best people working in the best firm in the county and taking advantage of that as the economy improves.