Latest News

19th Oct 2026

England’s planning rules have been rewritten — what the changes mean in practice

On 17 August 2026, the government published a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework. With a little time to digest it, it’s clear this was no tweak: it is the first full rewrite since the framework was introduced in 2012, and it took effect the day it was published. The big idea: fewer […]

19th Oct 2026

The Planning Timeline Problem

It can take longer than you might think to obtain the relevant consents allowing you to build your project and that’s before taking into account lead in times for contractors. Depending on what you have planned you might be able to use permitted development rights or alternatively need to go down the full planning route. […]

15th Oct 2026

Can we get a cable in there?

Someone in the largescale residential development game once told me that 20 years ago there were two things which never appeared on the agenda for a board meeting of a largescale house builder; health & safety and electrical connections. Putting aside high-vis jackets, I can comment on electrical connections. Whether it’s largescale housing, strategic land […]

6th Oct 2026

Meet the team – Tom Ashton

Tom joined Howie Kent & Co at the start of 2020 and is mainly involved with specialist site-finding services for clients. Alongside this he also provides planning consultancy for clients looking to develop a variety of different projects. Before joining the team, Tom was land & commercial manager for a residential developer building open market […]

29th Sep 2026

From First Conversation to Construction: The Journey of Rock Farm Solar

When Duncan first visited Rock Farm in October 2021 to meet with the landowner, the project was little more than an opportunity on paper. As with any renewable energy development, the conversation started with explaining the process, the potential benefits for the landowner and, most importantly, whether the project was technically viable. The first critical […]

1st Sep 2026

Over-Spec of Farm Buildings

Are You Spending Money Where it Matters? Diversifying into commercial lets can be an excellent way for farmers and landowners to generate additional income from underutilised assets. Across the country, former livestock buildings, machinery sheds and general-purpose agricultural buildings are being repurposed for everything from storage and workshops to small businesses, trades, leisure operators and […]

25th Aug 2026

Land Value Tax (LTV) and Renewable Development

This article is put together on the first day of Andy Burnham’s premiership. He is rumoured to be considering proposing a land value tax (LVT) based purely on the underlying value of the land i.e. not the buildings or structure that sits on it. As Rural Chartered Surveyors who specialise in the energy industry, we […]

18th Aug 2026

Meet the team – Joe Langley

Joe joined Howie Kent & Co as a Graduate Surveyor in June 2025. Joe studied at Leeds Beckett University, where he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science. In his final year, he discovered a passion for the rural and property sectors, which led him to further studies at Harper Adams University, […]

14th Aug 2026

Grid Reform – How are Land Agreements for Energy Projects Changing?

The dust is beginning to settle on the connection reform process, as Gate 2 offers are now being received. Early indications suggest that grid costs are higher than many anticipated, and there remains ongoing uncertainty around project delivery due to grid constraints. The situation isn’t perfect but we’re starting to see the future of solar […]

11th Aug 2026

You Received a Letter from a Utility Company… Now What?

A letter lands on your doorstep. A utility company wants access to your land for cables, pipelines, overhead lines, surveys, broadband infrastructure or maintenance works. Your first instinct might be to sign and return the paperwork. Don’t. Just because a utility company has approached you doesn’t mean you have to accept the first proposal put […]

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