Britain on the cusp of escape velocity

Three of the country's top economists believe Britain has turned the corner and growth will accelerate in the coming months. Former Bank of England deputy governor Sir John Gieve and past rate–setters Dame DeAnne Julius and Charles Goodhart claim the economy has already reached or is about to reach "escape velocity" – the level at which a recovery is self–sustaining. Sir John argued that growth could recover "quite swiftly to 2.5% or more".

Construction sector turning a corner?

The construction sector is enjoying a rise in new building projects, a survey has found. A large decline in the sector "seemed to be turning a corner", according to a poll by the RICS. Activity now appears to be edging upwards, with 11% more surveyors reporting rises in workloads in the second quarter of the year compared with the same period 12 months ago. One-third more surveyors (33%) expect workloads to continue to rise, the survey suggests. Just over one-fifth (22%) think job opportunities within the industry will rise in the next 12 months.

At NBC we have noticed a significant increase in enquiries particularly in Party Wall advice which supports these survey results

New review of Portas Pilots says convert retail units into homes

A new review of Portas Pilots, the scheme to revive struggling retail centres, says there will be a consultation over the next six months on further relaxing planning regulations to allow the conversion of retail space on minor thoroughfares running off high streets into residential property. The new report by the Department for Communities and Local Government is exploring ways for businesses to find new premises more quickly, urging landlords to be more flexible with the potential to increase housing on the high street. The report said: "Together these reforms provide a substantial opportunity to bring more life into town centres and increase footfall.

Has the housing market really reached a 14 year high?

RICS reports housing market optimism at 14 year high

The latest RICS survey reveals optimism among surveyors over house sales is at its highest level for more than 14 years. Its findings for June point to the beginning of a recovery, with the month also being the strongest for house price increases in more than three years. A net balance of 45% of respondents, up from 36% in May, said they expected sales to rise in the next three months, the highest proportion since the index began in 1999. Peter Bolton King, global residential director at RICS, said: "We are finally starting to see what looks like the beginning of a recovery. Activity levels still remain depressed by historic standards but the various initiatives designed to encourage the provision of finance into the market do appear to be paying dividends". The survey also showed that a net balance of 23% of surveyors expected prices to rise. Meanwhile, the Herald reports that the RICS Scottish Residential Market Survey reported more homes were going on the market and more new buyers were also looking to buy their first property. Last month, a net balance of 59% more chartered surveyors reported a rise in new buyer enquiries, while almost three-quarters recorded a rise in newly agreed sales.

Landlords overlooking costs

According to a report by YouGov landlords have unrealistic expectations of property returns and are failing to consider the effects of a range of costs. The data from YouGov's Landlords and Mortgages 2013 report contradicts the view held by lenders that the buy-to-let market has improved since the financial crisis with lenders claiming that post-crisis investors are focused on long-term returns, while the YouGov data suggests that landlords were naively counting on "illusions" of gains. It said landlords' total returns were in long-term decline, despite reported evidence of rising rents with rental returns now between 1% and 4% compared with between 4% and 6% in the 2002-06 period. One reason for weaker returns was landlords' propensity to overlook costs. "While 93% consider mortgage interest payments, only 68% take account of agency fees and 46% budget for other management expenses," the report said.

The Sunday Telegraph, Money, Page: 4

Service sector growth fastest for 2 years

The UK's services sector grew at its fastest rate for more than two years in June, a survey suggests. The Markit/CIPS Services PMI for the UK rose to 56.9 in June, from 54.9 in May. A figure above 50 indicates growth. The survey adds to signs that the economic recovery is strengthening. Markit says it expects the UK economy to grow by at least 0.5% in the second quarter of 2013. "New orders and job creation across all sectors are now rising at the fastest rates for almost six years, led by the vast services economy, boding well for robust growth momentum to be sustained as we move into the second half of the year," said Markit's Chris Williamson.

The Times, Page: 38   The Daily Telegraph, Business, Page: 1, 4   The Independent, Page: 52   The Guardian, Page: 25  

Cable set to boost construction

The Business Secretary Vince Cable will today announce that building firms are to be given extra support to help them to compete for construction projects. The Business Secretary is extending the Government's trade credit scheme so large and small companies can get up to £25,000 in loans.

Daily Mirror

Further expansion at Nick Bevan Consulting Ltd

We are pleased to announce the appointment Ross Powell and Steve Austin, Chartered Surveyors at NBC Ltd

Ross Powell BSc Hons MRICS Chartered Building Surveyor

Ross Powell is a Chartered Building Surveyor who joins us from the renowned Malcolm Hollis Chartered Surveyors in Birmingham. He has worked in all aspects of Building Surveying but has concentrated on Dilapidation and Landlord and Tenant work, Project Management as well as Party Walls and investment and acquisition surveys on commercial premises both in the UK and Europe

Ross will bring additional resource and gravitas to our Project Management and Dilapidation service

Steve Austin BSc MRICS Chartered Quantity Surveyor

Steve Austin is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and is involved in all matters of construction cost and contract management. Steve has over 34 years’ experience working in the Construction Industry providing contractual and procurement advice, pre and post contract financial management, feasibility studies, contract management, expert reports, settlement of claims including negotiation, preparation of property condition surveys and reports. He has acted for Clients providing a lead consultant role in preparing and managing scoring matrixes for OJEU, consultant appointments on education and sports/leisure projects. He has also acted as Expert Witness on a number of projects providing detailed analysis, witness statements and evidence where required.

Steve’s expertise will add greatly  our Contract Administration, Expert Witness and Dilapidation services

Nick Bevan Consulting the future

We are very proud of the team of consummate professionals we have established at NBC, we have developed a brand reputation of which we are duly proud and the latest additions to our team strengthen our offer and ensure customer service and professional performance are maintained .

The addition of Ross and Steve enables us to compete with the very best in the Country while maintaining our service style, professional approach and Commitment to our Community