A weekly round up of the latest planning and property news from the central London boroughs

City of London 

Property Week reports that CLI Dartriver has completed the acquisition of Eldon House in the City of London for around £40m. The 34,000 sq ft building was bought from Commercial Property REIT, a listed FTSE 250 company managed by Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Hammersmith and Fulham 

Architects Journal reports that Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) has put forward plans to create a hotel with 800-plus beds on 181 Talgarth Road. In October last year developer Dominvs withdrew an earlier application drawn up by Dexter Moren Associates for the same plot. Two months later Richard Rogers’ practice was appointed ‘to take a fresh look at the site’.

Lambeth 

Architects Journal reports that ‘We Made That’ has won Lambeth Council’s competition to design a public realm masterplan for North Vauxhall, central London. The practice will create an ‘accessible, welcoming, high-quality, dynamic and inclusive’ strategy for enhancing public spaces throughout the area bounded by Kennington Lane, Kennington Road, Albert Embankment and Lambeth Road.

Westminster 

This week Inspectors for Westminster’s Draft City Plan published the ‘Matters, Issues and Questions’ (MIQs). At this stage in an examination the Inspectors would normally expect to set the date for the opening of the hearing sessions and a specific timetable for each session however given the COVID-19 pandemic they are unable to confirm a date when they will.

Property Week reports that West End based landlord The Howard de Walden Estate, has appointed Mark Kildea as chief operating officer (COO), moving from his previous position as finance director.

City AM reports that Grosvenor Group said it was “very cautious” on new commitments due to the “severe” economic shock caused by the coronavirus crisis. The group said it had “considerable liquidity to weather the impact of coronavirus and underpin ambitious growth plans”. It added that its commitment to international diversification will continue.

Cities of London & Westminster MP Nickie Aiken has been promoted to Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. In her new role, Nickie will be supporting the department’s ministerial team.

General 

BBC reports that Rory Stewart has withdrawn from the Mayoral election. The former Tory cabinet minister has said it was impossible to ask unpaid campaign volunteers to work for another 12 months. The independent candidate said it had been an “agonising decision” for him to make.

The Mayor of London and TfL have this week unveiled their ‘London Streetspace’ programme which will transform London’s streets to accommodate a possible ten-fold increase in cycling and five-fold increase in walking when lockdown restrictions are eased.

Property Week reports that The next revaluation of business rates has been postponed. Legislation had previously been introduced to move the next revaluation forward from 2022 to 2021, but this will no longer go ahead.

Property Week reports that the land registry has relaxed its rules to allow electronic versions of deeds, according to guidance updated in response to the coronavirus. The updated guidance also allows for identity verification to be done by video by more professionals, including retired conveyancers, bank officials and medical doctors.