LONDON-The strength of the West Midlands industrial market is underlined by Miller Developments' decision to press on with a 100,000-sf development at Javelin park, Wednesbury in the Black Country.

LONDON-Average UK house prices are set to grow by 12% over 2003 according to the latest prediction from FPDSavills. But capital values in the prime Central London market are expected to rise by just 4% over the coming year.

LONDON-Haslemere has continued its disposals programme with the sale of two retail investments in Bangor, Northern Ireland and Chelmsford, Essex, raising a total of pounds 110 million ($170 million).

LONDON-Celogix, Aberdeen Property Investors' specialist European distribution property fund, has purchased two more distribution centres in France: one in Lyon and one in St. Fargeau - Ponthierry. The fund is now almost fully invested and the managers are planning to extend it.

LONDON-Antler Property Investments, the private property investment company, has sold a mixed property investment portfolio to Standard Life Investments for pounds 235 million ($365 million), to reflect a net initial yield of over 7%.

LONDON-Development Securities has completed of the sale of ten properties for Pounds 8.7 million ($13.5 million). The proceeds will be reinvested in larger properties.

LONDON-Stannifer subsidiary Union Square Developments has started site works on its 550,000-sf mixed-use retail and leisure development in the centre of Aberdeen, Scotland. The 22-acre scheme is the largest project of its type currently underway in Scotland.

LONDON-Chief Executive Peter Lewin has stepped down at property development and investment company Newport Holdings, which he founded in 1994. Non-exec chairman Bob Carlton-Porter will take over the reins temporarily as the search for a successor begins.