Why the Government’s planning reforms are not all they seem...
Expectations around the Government’s ‘radical’ new reforms were high, but on closer inspection they remind Adam Hesse of the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes...

Adam Hesse is Director at Aston Mead Land & Planning. Having worked in estate agency for 28 years, and in land and development for the last 15 years, Adam has the drive and experience to get the best deal for his client – and usually does!
Why is the government sidelining SMEs in the battle to build more homes?
In almost every other sector apart from construction, nimble and hungry start-ups have provided the ideas and talent to drive growth, says Adam Hesse...
By Adam Hesse
Pass on the parcel: End the sale of ‘pipe dream’ land
Aston Mead's Land & Planning Director Adam Hesse is calling for ban on the sale of "pipe dream" parcels of land to naïve investors who hope to build homes on them.
By Adam Hesse
“Use By” date mooted for land banks; 23% of planning permissions are on hold or shelved
Nick Boles has laid out plans to set a time limit on planning permissions to put a stop to developers building up "land banks" of undeveloped schemes.
By Prime Resi
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Super-prime agent & social media star launches ‘game-changing’ property brokerage
One of London's best-known top-end agents has set up a 'forward-thinking' luxury property brokerage that 'understands the power of storytelling & digital influence in a new era of property.'
By PrimeResi
Super-prime developer lines up £225mn scheme in Notting Hill
Valouran continues to build pipeline of landmark projects, unveiling plans for a 'major play' on Westbourne Grove.
John D Wood & Co. recruits Knight Frank’s Kilgarriff to lead Central London Lettings
A senior KF operator has moved to a key role in Polly Ogden Duffy's team at JDW.
By PrimeResi
West End office building set for boutique luxury resi conversion
Dukelease & BST England have teamed up to transform a handsome period block on Hallam Street into six high-end apartments.
Dexters names new CEO
Estate agency's CFO & Deputy CEO Ash Kashyap steps up to the top job as Andy Shepherd retires.
By PrimeResi
‘The centre of gravity has shifted’: Ranking Europe’s top-performing luxury property markets through the last decade
Key trends revealed in long-term analysis of Knight Frank's Prime International Residential Index.
Foxtons’ sales revenue jumps 73% to hit a ten-year high
The high-profile agency had a 'very strong start to the year' as buyers scrambled to beat the stamp duty deadline.
In Pictures: ‘One of Ireland’s finest contemporary country houses’ seeks €8mn
Agents instructed on 111-acre estate with spectacular centrepiece & 'unrivalled waterside appeal'.
Dexters reports another 23% revenue jump
Income from the estate agency's lettings business rocketed by nearly a third last year.
By PrimeResi
Deal numbers pick up in Prime London but ‘uncertainty ahead’
There were some positive signs for the sales market last month, reports LonRes, but the top end is still struggling with rising supply and weaker demand.
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