Main image: People power in Totnes. Sophie Wilder/Flickr., CC BY-NC
50 years on: Why don’t local people have a greater say in their neighbourhoods?
There have been lots of planning policy overhauls since 1969, when the Government's Skeffington Report suggested 50 ways to get communities more involved in local property development matters. But "it’s startling just how relevant the report remains today", writes planning expert Professor Gavin Parker...

Written by
Professor Gavin Parker
Chair of Planning Studies, University of Reading at
University of Reading
PrimeResi is the Journal of Luxury Property. The leading news, opinion & insight resource for the UK's prime residential property industry.
Beautiful homes & tree-lined streets should be ‘the norm not the exception’
Roger Scruton and Nicolas Boys Smith's final report for the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission has been published, offering a series of policy proposals and practical recommendations to make…
By PrimeResi
Johnson & Jenrick plot planning reform u-turn
“Radical” proposed planning reforms are likely to be substantially watered down, according to political insiders.
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
Most read
‘Landmark’ townhouse sale concluded in Chelsea
'Discerning buyers are focusing on best-in-class assets', says agency, confirming sale of near-£28mn trophy home as part of £100mn deal run.
Government proposes the ‘biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history’
Consultations have opened into significant & wide-ranging reforms that promise to 'rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership.'
By PrimeResi
Country house guru Sweeting joins high-end valuation firm
Longstanding Knight Frank figure has taken up a consultant role at James Wyatt's Parthenia.
Property industry reactions: Tories pledge to ‘abolish’ Stamp Duty
Stamp Duty is 'a bad tax, an un-Conservative tax', says Kemi Badenoch.
By PrimeResi
Beyond interior design: St George MD on rethinking the role of the showhome
Marcus Blake talks us through the Berkeley Group developer's new creative direction, and shows off its first completed in-house design effort.
By Marcus Blake
Unseasonably slow September for London’s top-end property markets
Fresh analysis reveals the impact of pre-Budget jitters on the capital's high-value sales and lettings sectors.
London brokerage recruits former Savills agent to lead ‘quality-driven expansion’
Sean Tully has joined Sean Barrett's The Agency Group as Director of Growth & Recruitment.
By PrimeResi
Qatari Diar tops £1.5bn sales mark at Chelsea Barracks
Momentum continues at the ultra-luxury Belgravia scheme despite wider market headwinds.
Five-star Belgravia project sets London price records
The Peninsula London has reportedly proved popular with billionaire buyers from the United States.
Savills installs new sales boss in Notting Hill
Dan Martin returned to the agency earlier this year following a stint at UK Sotheby’s International Realty.
LATEST ARTICLES
Rising star joins super-prime brokerage as its youngest PCL director
Chelsea specialist Jessica Moreton has made the move to UK Sotheby’s International Realty from Douglas & Gordon.
Grosvenor names new UK CEO
Jamie Whitty-Lewis has been promoted following James Raynor's move to lead the international property business.
By PrimeResi
Contemporary mansion sale ‘sets new high-water mark for luxury real estate in Spain’
The 'modern palace' in Sotogrande is one of a series of super-prime homes designed by ARK Architects.
By PrimeResi
In Pictures: Luxury Foster + Partners & 1508 London-designed scheme unveiled in the UAE
Developers tap top UK-based design firms for 234-home beachfront project.
Weekly Showcase: Ten featured prime resi listings
PrimeResi's regular stock check, powered by LonRes.