Four Thoughts: The UK planning system enters a new virtual reality
'It’s unfortunate that it has taken a global pandemic for the system to finally move into the 21st century'

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PrimeResi Pundits
Including: Assael Architecture, Bidwells, Irwin Mitchell & Perkins and Will at
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PrimeResi is the Journal of Luxury Property. The leading news, opinion & insight resource for the UK's prime residential property industry.
‘There should not be a fast track for beauty’: Betts Committee reports on The Future of the Planning System in England
"The government’s aim of developing a planning system that enables buildings to be built more quickly and with greater input from local communities is welcome, but it is far from clear how the current…
By PrimeResi
Raynsford Review: A 24-point plan to fix the ‘chaotic patchwork’ planning system
"Planning in England is less effective than at any time in the post-war era", declares Nick Raynsford's team in the first comprehensive review of the planning system for a generation
By PrimeResi
Rethinking the planning system: Downing Street to consider ‘wholesale reform’
Influential think tank Policy Exchange has published a blueprint for the "urgent wholesale reform" of the planning system, calling for a "clean break" with the current regime.
By PrimeResi
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Former embassy sold in Mayfair’s biggest house deal of 2025
‘Landmark’ sale of £22mn Park Street mansion shows resilience of PCL market, say agents.
In Pictures: ‘One of the finest homes in South West London’ hits the market at £25mn
Agents expect 17,000+ sq ft trophy home in Fulham to attract strong interest from PCL-based buyers seeking scale & seclusion.
In Pictures: Vast Georgian-style mansion in Kensington seeks £35mn
'This really is the house which has everything,' says sales agency.
Russell Simpson builds Mayfair team
Beau McCarty has joined Hermione Russell's recently-opened office.
By PrimeResi
St John’s Wood villa with supermodel provenance returns to agency’s books after 30 years
Arlington Residential brings Greville Road property back to market at just under £6mn - three decades after first selling it for under £800k.
Charles Curran: Forget the hype, this is reality
Boutique estate agency boss (and former private equity banker) rails against misplaced optimism - calling for honesty, realism and tough love in today’s Prime Central London market.
Green light for ‘landmark’ redevelopment scheme in Chelsea
Transformation of one of the neighbourhood's 'most iconic sites' is due to deliver 24 luxury homes and a flagship retail space.
Historic St James’s building sold after luxury redevelopment
Obbard's corking rental scheme for wine merchant Berry Bros resulted in 'a very significant uplift' in value.
By PrimeResi
Is the Prime London sales market turning a corner?
Latest LonRes data shows strong pick-up in under offer numbers and stabilising values - along with signs of a resurgence at the very top-end
Brokerage recruits ex-Savills department head
Sam Pagett will be covering the Cheltenham patch as a Moveli broker.
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Hybrid agents gain ground in the £1mn+ market
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