Location: United Kingdom

Soames, the Chelsea-based lettings agency, has been bought by mainstream chain Belvoir as part of a pretty aggressive acquisitions spree that sees the firm make its first foray into the prime London market.

Resi land values in prime central London shot up by 4% in Q2, whilst prices across the UK rose by an average of 1.2%, according to Knight Frank today. This means that average UK values have risen by 1.

Kensington-based agency Rickman Properties has hired Simon Powley as Assistant Residential Sales Manager. Powley joins the firm after an impressive 18-year stint at mews specialists Lurot Brand.

What does the "P" in planning really stand for? Petty, Potty and Pointless, says our resident Doer Upper Alan Page... I'm all for Planning, but not necessarily for planning.

The National Grid is asking around for thoughts on how/where to spend £500m on hiding pylons and powerlines.

Knightsbridge and Mayfair are the most expensive parts of London to rent a two-bed flat (avg.

The big sign-ups to new-property-portal-in-town Agents' Mutual keep on coming: the Thamesview Group - which operates the likes of Chard, Friend & Falcke, Dexters, Square Mile and Waterview estate agents…

Land Securities has had its 89-unit office-to-resi scheme at 70-88 Oxford Street W1 approved by planners.

A scheme to turn the former DFID offices at 1 Palace Street SW1 into 78 luxury flats has been approved by Westminster council.

Chesterton Humberts has set up shop in chichi W11, the firm's sixth offering in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

We all know waterfront positions can command serious premiums, but they can also land unwary buyers and developers in some pretty deep water.

News of another important branch opening now, with Savills confirming a permanent foray into well-heeled Marylebone.