News
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 - part of the Government’s ambitious target to build 1.5million homes by the end of this Parliament.
So says Lord Gascoigne, Chair of the House of Lords Built Environment Committee, guest on the latest episode of KOR Communications’ 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
Estate Matters S2 Ep8: Jake Fiennes | Productive and protective - How to communicate conservation
Jake Fiennes, one of Britain’s most high profile and in-demand conservationists, tells the latest edition of KOR Communications’ Estate Matters podcast that the UK needs a natural capital ‘Domesday Book’ to accurately measure the nation’s flora and fauna.
Trump on wind - will it all blow over?
Donald Trump’s views on renewable energy and his support for the continued use of fossil fuels are well-known.
But expressing those highly negative views in Scotland, which hosts a significant number of wind turbines generating electricity for the UK, has added new impetus to the debate on the visual impact and effectiveness of wind power and renewables more generally.
BESS planning application unanimously approved
A 57MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) brought forward by EDF Renewables won unanimous approval from members of East Devon District Council’s planning committee this month.
Estate Matters S2 Ep7: Andy Squires | You, your land and trespassers
Dealing effectively with trespassers can be a major problem for landowners who are often not equipped, practically or emotionally, with the skills to protect their property from unwanted visitors.
But a specialist business, staffed almost entirely by former police officers, is providing a service to those vulnerable to incursion, from sports pitch owners to car park operators, and caravan parks to rural estates.
Labour’s first year – is the government delivering on solving the housing crisis?
Labour marked its first year in office on July 4th against a background of rebellious backbench MPs, a weeping Chancellor of the Exchequer and some of the lowest poll ratings for Sir Keir Starmer ever recorded for a Prime Minister.
Estate Matters S2 Ep6: Kim Wilkie | Landscape architecture - Design led by the land
When he’s working on a project, landscape architect Kim Wilkie is very happy if his proposals for change leave local people feeling a little bit uncomfortable.
He tells the latest episode of the Estate Matters podcast: “Unless people are slightly upset with what you’re proposing, you’re probably not taking things far enough.”
Estate Matters S2 Ep5: Patrick Galbraith | The access debate
Landowners and farmers can help to improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of the countryside if they provide opportunities for people to engage with nature.
So says writer and columnist Patrick Galbraith, author of the book Uncommon Ground, which tackles the relationships people in Britain have with the countryside and how we can improve it.
Reflections from UKREiiF 2025: People, places, and planning
Dubbed as the ‘Glastonbury of the built environment’ the UK Real Estate and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) hosted 16,000 delegates in Leeds last week – including KOR’s Senior Public Affairs Consultant, Grace Gladding.
Estate Matters S2 Ep4: Joe and Keeley Evans | Stewarding a modern landed estate - generational ownership, diversification & growth
CLA Vice President Joe Evans, with his wife Keeley, could have created a wonderful life away from the Evans’ family estate; until a visit changed their course.
In the latest episode of Estate Matters, they sit down with podcast host Anna Byles to share how they’ve navigated estate legacy.
All change at the council – It’s time to engage
It is essential that landowners and developers, with a vital part to play in meeting those challenges, build and maintain good relationships with all stakeholders, including local authorities and their elected members.
Estate Matters S2 Ep3: Dr Johnny Wake | A people-focused approach to land management
Pursuing a career in medicine, Dr Johnny Wake says he never imagined being anything other than a doctor. In the latest episode of Estate Matters, podcast host Anna Byles talks to Johnny about the success of a people-focused approach to estate management.