South West

Housebuilding continues to pick-up across the South West

Housebuilding in the South West is continuing to rebound with chartered surveyors across the region reporting growth, says the latest RICS construction market survey.

During the third quarter of the year, the region’s surveyors reported rises in privately-funded housing projects. Furthermore, on a national level, this is the first time that every part of the country has reported growth...

Batten down the hatches; it's a windy, rainy Monday

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of rain today. Heavy rain is likely to affect Plymouth and parts of South West England this morning accompanied by strong southerly winds.

The public are being warned that there may be a risk of localised surface water flooding, more especially in urban areas and affecting roads around the rush hour.

The heavy rain may ease around the...

Rise in unemployment in the South West despite national fall

Unemployment in the South West rose by 0.5% to 6.3% in the June to August quarter, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The rise does not mirror the national trend which saw unemployment in the UK fall slightly overall by 0.1%, with only the South West, North West and West Midlands seeing increases in jobless numbers. However, the South West...

South West house prices rise by 2.6% as figures hit UK record high

House prices in the South West rose by an average of 2.6% in the year to August 2013 according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The average price of a house or flat in the region now stands at £230,000.

The 2.6% rise is lower than the overall UK figure of 3.8% and the 4.1% for England which are both skewed by a considerable rise in London of 8.7...

English Heritage reveals South West heritage at risk

English Heritage today (Thursday 10 October) launched the Heritage at Risk Register 2013. It reveals that in the South West, 154 Grade I and II* buildings, 1,396 scheduled monuments, 50 places of worship, 18 registered parks and gardens, one battlefield, 57 conservation areas are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate change. More buildings and structures have been successfully removed...

South West house sales hit highest level in over five years

The number of homes sold in the South West is at the highest level since February 2008 as the housing market recovery continues to gather pace, says the September Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey.

The average number of properties sold per chartered surveyor in the three months to September reached 19. Although still historically low, this figure...

Met Office issues warning of heavy rain and possible flooding

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of further outbreaks of heavy, thundery rain for the South West during Thursday and Friday (3rd and 4th October). It has warned the public of the risk of flooding.

The Met Office reports: "Further outbreaks of heavy, thundery, rain will spread from the south during Thursday and overnight into Friday with the potential for some torrential...

Plymouth lifeboats among the busiest as RNLI sees 24% rise in summer incidents

Prolonged sunshine and the hottest summer for seven years (according to the Met Office) kept RNLI teams across the south west busy this summer.

Provisional statistics released by the charity for the period June, July and August show a 24% increase in incidents for RNLI lifeguards, and lifeboat crews attending 652 rescues.

RNLI lifeguards dealt with 10,615 incidents across the...

RICS launch guide to help small businesses manage their property assets

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has today launched a guide to help small businesses take better control of their finances through managing their property assets differently.

Property costs – such as business rates and rent – are one of the most significant expenses incurred by SMEs and failure to take professional advice as to how to manage them could costs businesses...

Further fall in unemployment in Plymouth

The number of people out of work and claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) in Plymouth fell to 5,142 in August, 3% of those of working age (16 to 64), according to official figures.

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, reflect an ongoing downward trend in unemployment in the city and represent a seventh successive month-on-month fall in the 'Clamaint Count'...

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