THE BIG RETORT

The acquisition of the Parthenon Marbles, also controversially known as the Elgin Marbles, remains an enduring saga intertwining history, cultural heritage, and the complexities of ownership. In the early 19th century, Lord Elgin's removal of these ancient sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens raised debates that still echo through time. Yet, what about their monetary value? TheBigRetort In 1816, the British government acquired the Marbles from Lord Elgin for a paltry £35,000. However, the question of their true worth in today's terms transcends mere monetary evaluation. Adjusting for inflation over nearly two centuries reveals a stark contrast between the value paid then and the potential contemporary value. Be that as it may. Determining the present-day value of £35,000 from 1816 involves a trawl through historical records, understanding economic shifts, and estimating inflation rates over time. The process is complex, relying on average inflation rates spanning 207 yea...

Pictured above, Quentin Hunt with the Powells On October 31st, a legal battle regarding wasted costs unfolded between the London Borough of Lewisham Council and a Brockley resident, Trevor Powell, and his wife. This case, which was heard at Bexley Magistrates Court recently, revealed significant issues with the Council's earlier legal representation at a previous trial. And serial unexplained absences by its prosecutor. At an earlier hearing on October 5th, the presiding judge, D.J. Sarah Turnock, expressed visible bewilderment at the Council's handling of what initially seemed like a mundane dispute over a single additional skylight's planning enforcement. However, it swiftly transformed into a consequential wasted costs order against Lewisham Council due to the absence of its prosecutor. The inexplicable absence of the prosecutor did not sit well with the district judge. Council prosecutor Jay Kidd-Morton had demanded that the couple themselves appear or face further ...

In the world of property management, landlords often find themselves navigating a complex terrain where financial interests must be balanced with the welfare of tenants. Profit and goodwill form a delicate balance, one that a landlord, who's been managing rental properties for decades, is all too familiar. Recently, a chance encounter with a potential tenant seeking an affordable rental home in a conservation area shed light on the stark differences in perspective that can shape these relationships. TheBigRetort A recent encounter with a militant flat seeker looking for a rental property revealed a strikingly different viewpoint to lettings than most landlords might expect. This particular tenant, firmly believed that landlords should reduce rents for tenants, not out of goodwill, but because it was the "right" thing to do.  Her perspective was clear: greedy landlords should provide lower rents. Any financial sacrifices they might make were secondary. It did not for...

  In a recent legal case involving the London Borough of Lewisham, two defendants, found themselves in the spotlight, accused of introducing an additional skylight to their roof without planning permission. However, this case has now raised a series of pressing questions about the Council's prosecutor - who failed to make an appearance, much to the annoyance of a district judge.  A skipped court appearance On the morning of October 5, 2023, a case was scheduled at the Bromley Magistrates Court. The two defendants had previously requested an adjournment. A request that was refused outright by Lewisham Council's prosecutor. Nonetheless, on the day, it was the noticeable absence of the Lewisham Council's prosecutor that became the focus of attention, particularly for District Judge Turnock. Appointed by the Queen in 2020 upon the advice of the Right Honourable Robert Buckland QC MP (pictured) and the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable The Lord Burnet...

Some years back, we ventured into the realm of James O'Brien, the outspoken LBC radio presenter known for his fearless approach to contentious issues. At the time, O'Brien was fervently condemning buy-to-let property investors, accusing them of inflating rent prices and obstructing the younger generation's path to homeownership. However, our revelation about O'Brien's involvement in the buy-to-let market left many across the nation shocked and bewildered. The Big Retort Moses on Mortgages In 2014, LBC’s James O'Brien engaged in a spirited on-air exchange with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, focusing on the Church's land ownership and its impact on tenants. O'Brien's Moses-like critique implied that God had ventured into the realm of demon buy-to-let landlords. O'Brien's relentless sermon O'Brien's relentless sermon on buy-to-let painted landlords as the culprits behind housing unaffordability and skyrocketing renta...

In the heart of a thriving Lewisham community, in southeast London, KJ Building Supplies stands as a vital resource for builders and homeowners alike. However, this seemingly unassuming DIY business has found itself at the centre of a complex planning and enforcement dispute with the Council, prompting questions about the boundary between local governance and the law. The saga began when KJ's was invited to apply for planning approval for an open storage area adjacent to the shop. The request was met with disappointment as planning officer Russell Brown exercised "officer delegated powers" to deny the application. The decision hinged on two key allegations: first, that the land had undergone an unauthorised change of use to a "builder's yard," and second, that a shipping container had been installed without proper permissions. In response to this setback, KJ’s owners appealed the decision to the planning inspectorate, seeking a reconsideration of the c...

From the beginning, the case of KJ Building Supplies has unfolded in a Kafkaesque manner. It began with a planning contravention notice issued seven years ago. It demanded that local DIY shopkeeper, Kevin Bottomley (pictured), aka “KJ,” cease various activities related to his builders’ merchants. A busy store on the busy A20.  Kevin had, in fact, sold the shop to his young charge Will Buckle (pictured). However, due to a series of errors and questionable decisions made by planning enforcement officers, Will’s dreams for the future of the store quickly descended into madness.  Enforcement overreach Back in June 2016, following a sole complaint, the then enforcement officer Janet Hurst initially determined that the land on which a metal container sat, and which had been introduced that year by Kevin, was not the only thing in breach of planning. Hurst included the land too, even though it had been used that way for many years. In fact, the description of the breach would notably...