LONDON-London's South Bank--until recently seen as one of the UK capital's strongest emerging markets--is likely to be frozen out by occupiers and investors for at least two years according to new research from Cluttons. Prime rents have already fallen 25%.

LONDON-Estates & General has snapped up a portfolio of four office buildings in Bracknell, Berkshire; Guildford, Surrey and Coventry, Warwickshire put on the market by troubled financial services group Equitable Life.

ROME-Banca Nazionale del Lavoro has successfully raised €173 million ($154 million) for its second closed-end real estate fund, Portfolio Immobiliare Crescita. Unlike its predecessor thie new fund will adopt a more aggressive investment strategy chasing both income and growth.

LONDON-Castlemore Securities has leased Salamanca, the 67,000-sf office redevelopment in the centre of Slough, Berkshire, to mobile telecoms operator BT Cellnet.

LEEDS-Hertfordshire-based developer Hunting Gate has received detailed planning consent for the first phase of its in Leeds.

LONDON-Planning Minister Lord Falconer has continued his drive to streamline the town planning system with proposals for a revised set of use classes.

LONDON-Office Rents in the Western Corridor are forecast to fall by between 5% and 10% this year. Although take-up improved slightly in the final quarter of 2001, availability is at a new high for the current cycle, says CB Hillier Parker.

LONDON-Land Securities, long one of the UK's biggest owners of retail warehouse property, has bought the 150,000-sf Nene Valley Retail Park in Northampton from Chartwell Land, the property arm of retailer Kingfisher.