Peter Freeman
- Insight
Masterplanning isn’t just a numbers game, it’s about communities too
To medics in ancient Greece, the word ‘crisis’ was the decisive turning point in an illness, the moment at which the patient either died or began to get better.
- Insight
Effective housing delivery requires top-down, subregional planning
I read Alex Morton’s article with dismay at his blunt assertion, as a recent Downing Street insider, that neighbourhood plans remain absolutely central to the Conservative policy of “responsible localism” and that neither Number 10 nor the Conservative Party will accept a return to subregional planning.
- Insight
Creativity and the housing crisis
The housing crisis, like the NHS crisis, has demographic roots: a growing and ageing population, fewer people living in each household and more people chasing jobs and lifestyles in hot spots.
- Professional
Why localism has exacerbated the housing crisis in Britain
Localism is an expression of the democratic ideal and we Brits value democracy. But is localism delivering the benefits to the public that were hoped? I doubt it. So what’s the problem and what needs changing?
- Insight
We won't hit housing targets without better master-planning
Jerusalem is Britain’s unofficial second national anthem, sung with joy and gusto at weddings, school concerts and the last night of the Proms.
- Insight
Private jet levy more equitable than ‘mansion’ tax
Poverty in Britain has a statistical definition: anyone on less than 60% of the median income is deemed to be in poverty
- Insight
Time for chief executives to take risks in return for rewards
We ask a lot of our corporate leaders — and they ask a lot in return!
- Insight
‘Greed and dependency’ era has come to an end
Since my last article in July, the Arab Spring has turned into the Arab Autumn as more countries have been drawn into violence, regime change and uncertainty.
- Insight
Capital is safest port in the storm while market is no plain sailing
I am rocking gently on a sailing boat in the Mediterranean, reading The Great Sea by David Abulafia, professor of Mediterranean history at Cambridge.
- Insight
Equity is the new debt and banks are the new funders of choice
If financial markets were really efficient, then smart people with smart money would take up the opportunities where an excessive reward was available relative to the risk
- Insight
Capitalism 4: a balance between market fundamentalists and Big Government
Reading an economics book is not my normal idea of fun
- Insight
Tories move planning goalposts, forcing change in developers’ gameplan
Argent’s Peter Freeman gives his view on the government’s far-reaching reform plans
- Insight
Cannes-do attitude will mean a return to relationship banking
Yes, we Cannes — even Barack Obama recognises the importance of MIPIM. The sun sparkled on the sea, the people beamed on the Croisette and the can-do attitude of property people was on full display
- Insight
Free thinking: Peter Freeman
Big beasts of the property world would do well to lay low for a little longer