News
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
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.
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
Water Lane Exeter: A professional engagement and consultation process has vital role to play in obtaining permission for large scale developments
KOR Communications played a major role in the exhaustive engagement and consultation process which enabled one of the South West’s biggest ever urban regeneration projects to win outline planning approval.
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.