Andrew Gardner, Managing Director of Cooke & Arkwright chartered surveyors in Cardiff, is a member of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Dressage Committee, the world’s governing body for equestrian Olympic sport. In July 2021, he adjudicated at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Andrew’s ‘alternative career’ in judging began 30 years ago, and he became a 5*/O-dressage judge in 2011, adjudicating at the highest level achievable in the dressage discipline.

We asked him about his experience in Japan.

Cooke & Arkwright’s Land Agency department has won a tender to be framework partner to supply gas network Wales & West Utilities with land agency services in South Wales.

The framework agreement commenced on 1st August 2021, and the firm’s Bridgend based Land Agency is to advise Wales & West Utilities on the acquisition of land, easements and other landowner consents connected with its work across south Wales to upgrade the gas network, so it’s safe today and ready to transport green gases like hydrogen and biomethane.

Museums across the UK are locked in disputes with the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) over business rate valuations two years after a landmark case in 2019 which should have set a precedent.

“We are now four years on from the York hearing and museums need this, and the RAMM ruling, to be upheld consistently as they are ill-equipped financially to keep challenging the VOA on an ongoing basis.”

Welsh Government  has announced that the moratorium on forfeiture for non-payment of rent due to Covid 19 pandemic is to be extended from 30th September to 25 March 2022.

Edwards Business Park / Parc Busnes Edwards of Llantrisant has launched Frams Enterprise Centre, the latest phase of development at its 25-acre mixed logistics and office complex adjacent to Llantrisant Business Park.

Taylor Wimpey has been announced as the latest housebuilder to build at Plasdŵr.

The leading UK housebuilder has submitted plans to build 337 homes in the Pendown neighbourhood of Plasdŵr, to the south of Pentrebane Road, near Fairwater and St Fagans.

Taylor Wimpey is expected to start on site later this year and will join lead developer Redrow, as well as Bellway and Lewis Homes, in building a new community at Plasdŵr. Cooke & Arkwright advises the landowner at Plasdŵr.

The Welsh Government has announced that it will take an identical approach to England in its measures to rule out business rate appeals based on material change in circumstances (MCC) due to the adverse valuation impact of the pandemic.

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said the intention is to legislate to include provisions for Wales in the UK Government’s ‘Rating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) Bill (the UK Bill)’ which will operate to disregard Covid-19 appeals on the basis of MCC.

Plymouth Estates has unveiled a revolutionary new robotic milking and feeding parlour at its dairy farm in Ludlow, Shropshire, providing a major boost to animal welfare.

Chris Hyde, Director of Land Agency at Cooke & Arkwright, who provides land management advice to Plymouth Estates said, “Animal welfare was a major consideration for our client when deciding to install this incredible robotic system. It is of huge benefit to the herd’s health and comfort.