News
Young people have vital role to play in the planning process
When new homes are built, renewable energy systems installed or other new development constructed it is children and young people who must live with the results for the longest.
Yet witnesses to the House of Lords Built Environment Committee this week (April 21) explained that when it comes to community engagement, those least likely to be asked for their views, or to offer them, are the young.
Don’t deliver a pre-baked cake – why engagement will deliver the homes people want
What’s the most common complaint you hear from people who fear their quality of life will be adversely affected by new developments in their neighbourhood? Answer: “We knew nothing at all about this – it has come as a complete shock!”
In its almost 50-page report titled New Towns: Creating Communities, the House of Lords Built Environment Committee recognises the problem of failing to keep neighbours and stakeholders informed of a plan - and suggests the solution.
100-acre solar farm approved ‘behind-closed-doors’
The truth, of course, far from the shady deal the headline suggests, was that a perfectly decent proposal eventually proved so uncontroversial, and so policy-compliant, that a council’s planning officers were able to approve it under delegated powers this month (March 2026).
S3 Ep3: Ben Bolgar | The King's Foundation - the true meaning of engagement
Ben Bolgar, Executive Director for Projects at The King’s Foundation, is the latest guest on the Estate Matters Podcast.
He first discussed architecture with the Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, at Kensington Palace in 1988. That conversation marked a meeting of minds and a shared vision that has underpinned Ben’s work over nearly 25 years at the Foundation.
War puts new perspective on Chancellor’s Spring Statement
Managing expectations is a key political skill and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had already dialled down any potential excitement about her Spring Statement, even before she set off from Downing Street for the House of Commons. In the event what happened in the Chamber was even less dramatic than most of us had been expecting.
S3 Ep2: Enthusiasm as Strategy | Joel Cadbury on combining business, philanthropy and sustainability
In the latest episode of Estate Matters, founder and chief executive of Longshot, Joel Cadbury, tells podcast host Anna Byles how he has spent 30 years spotting opportunities where others see challenges.
Celebrating 20 years of KOR Communications
As a communications consultancy focused on delivering for clients in the land and property sectors, KOR Communications rarely spends time reflecting on its own journey.
But with 2026 marking the 20th anniversary of the business we thought it was time to look back on our two decades of growth, celebrate the successes, acknowledge the challenges and set out some ambitions for the future.
Earn while you learn: Why more young people are choosing apprenticeships
With growing concerns over the potential lifetime burden of repaying a student loan, an increasing number of young people are considering alternatives to a university education at 18+ - alternatives that will give them the same flying start in their careers.
Estate Matters S3 Ep1: Gavin Lane | Rewriting the story of farming and land management
In this episode of Estate Matters, Gavin Lane explains that the social value farmers and landowners provide to rural communities often goes unrecognised, and it is through improved communication that people will gain a better understanding of the industry.
Meeting the renewable energy challenge
The proportion of electricity generated by renewables in Britain hit a new record high in 2025. But there is still a big gap between where we are now and the Government’s target of 95% of electricity generated from non-fossil fuels by 2030 – just four years away.
Farms in fight to stay viable warns Minette Batters
Former NFU President Minette Batters deliberately and sensibly concentrated on core agricultural practices in her detailed and extremely well-researched Farm Profitability Review, commissioned by the Government last April and finally published on Thursday December 18th.
Estate Matters S2 Ep12: Lord Gascoigne | From report to reality: how engagement shapes successful new towns
Meaningful engagement with communities will be crucial to the successful creation of new towns. So says Lord Gascoigne, chair of the House of Lords Built Environment Committee, guest on the latest episode of the Estate Matters Podcast.
KOR adopts a stone at Exeter Cathedral
KOR Communications, based in Exeter for almost twenty years, is proud to be among supporters of the first major building project at Exeter Cathedral for 500 years.
Budget analysis - the impact on rural and property businesses
Businesses based on land and property ownership were among the losers in the Chancellor’s Budget this week (November 26) with a rise in the tax on income earned from property among the biggest blows for landowners.
Estate Matters S2 Ep11: James Lowsley-Williams | From the peloton to Poldark: Managing Chavenage Estate in the spotlight
In this episode of Estate Matters nothing is off-limits as James Lowsley-Williams, a former professional cyclist, discusses inheriting the Chavenage Estate, documenting everything on his YouTube channel, welcoming film crews for Poldark, and managing family expectations in a multi-generational business.
Marking International Project Management Day with our Apprentice, Rebecca Kelland
International Project Management Day, on November 6 2025, is a celebration of the economic and social value of projects and the people who deliver them. KOR Communications provides support for rural and urban schemes, helping landowners and managers get projects, from new housing to renewable energy developments, over the line.
Estate Matters S2 Ep10: Rebekah Pierce | Chops and Watts - producing food and energy
Rebekah Pierce is a farmer and solar grazier in New York state. In this episode, she explains how she got into farming by ‘accident’, but is now paving the way with ‘Agri Energy’ through solar grazing.
National Park status no handicap for KOR golfing client Longshot
A thorough communications and engagement strategy undertaken by KOR Communications helped golf course owners Longshot III Ltd. secure planning permission for the reinvigoration of three golf clubs, including two within National Parks.
Estate Matters S2 Ep9: Eliza Ecclestone | I'm a YIMBY
Eliza is the owner and managing trustee of the St Clere Estate near Sevenoaks in Kent and the Executive Chair of Trustees of the Chevening Estate, the official country residence of the Foreign Secretary.
Priorities for rural business after shake-up at DEFRA
Members of the CLA had an opportunity to hear her speak at the Devon AGM in September, hosted by Geoff and Zoe Sayers at Carswell Farm, Holbeton in South Devon