Fisher German Talks

Future Proofing London - The Smart City

Artificial intelligence is being hailed as the solution to almost every problem facing the UK planning system. But what if the most disruptive technology of our generation is also one of the most misunderstood? Recorded on the back of our Future Proofing London thought leadership report, host Stuart Flint sits down with three experts to explore what a truly smart city looks like and why getting there will require as much caution as ambition. Joining Stuart are Sam Fowles, barrister specialising in planning, judicial review and data protection law; Scott O'Dell, planning consultant and partner at Fisher German; and Patrick Cousins, board director at integrated communications agency PLMR, who leads their energy and sustainability practice. Together, they take an unflinching look at what AI can and can't do in a planning context. Sam introduces the concept of the "stochastic parrot," a model that predicts decisions rather than reasons through them, and explores why handing that parrot the keys to the planning system could create more problems than it solves. From the proliferation of AI-generated objections, described by some as NIMBYism on steroids, to the very real risk of one algorithm talking to another with no human understanding at either end, the conversation is as sobering as it is fascinating. But it's not all caution. The panel also make a compelling case for where AI genuinely earns its place: digitising decades of fragmented and handwritten planning records, processing thousands of consultation responses with speed and consistency, and generating real-time visualisations of proposed developments that make the planning process more accessible to everyone. The Bath Stadium decision, which brought a 10-year planning saga to a close in 2025 using AI-processed consultation responses, is cited as an early proof of what's possible when the technology is used as a tool rather than a decision-maker. Accountability sits at the heart of the debate. Scott draws a clear line between AI as a processing aid and AI as a planning authority, while Sam raises the spectre of the Post Office Horizon scandal as a cautionary tale about what happens when algorithmic systems go unchallenged. Add in the implications of UK GDPR for automated decision-making and the potential for commercially confidential algorithms to become effectively challenge-proof, and the need for proper regulatory frameworks becomes hard to ignore. The conversation then turns to energy, where Patrick offers a clear-eyed assessment of London's twin challenges: decarbonising heat and managing the surging demand for power. He explores why heat decarbonisation remains the harder problem, what the government's Warm Homes Plan gets right and where it falls short, and why retrofit rather than new build is where the biggest gains will be made. He also shares a fascinating case study from Otterpool Park in Kent, where 8,500 homes are being designed around communal battery storage, rooftop solar and smart grid software, creating a blueprint for how new communities might one day supply power back to the national grid rather than simply drawing from it. Scott brings it back to planning, exploring how locational sustainability, transport infrastructure and energy demand must all be balanced through a planning system that is sometimes too slow, too detailed and too complex to respond to change at the pace the moment requires. If the Smart City is the destination, this episode maps both the route and the roadblocks. For more information and to read our Future Proofing London report, visit fishergerman.co.uk/insights

Future Proofing London - The Green City

80% of the buildings that will be standing in the UK in 2050 are already built. That single statistic changes everything when it comes to how we think about sustainable real estate and it's the jumping-off point for this episode of Fisher German Talks. Recorded on the back of our Futureproofing London Report thought leadership report, host Stuart Flint sits down with three experts to explore what a truly green city looks like and what it will take to get there. Joining Stuart are Rachel Bridge, Fisher German's ESG Partner, Will Poole, partner at architects and urban designers Howells, and Jonathan Hulbert, Head of Programme Management at the Better Buildings Partnership, a collaboration of leading property owners representing over £360 billion of assets under management. Together, they dig into the pressing case for retrofit-first thinking. With up to 60% of embodied carbon in a new build sitting in the structure alone, adapting what already exists is one of the most powerful sustainability tools we have. But it's not always straightforward particularly when it comes to converting large commercial floor plates, balancing energy performance with heritage preservation, and navigating the gap between a building's theoretical EPC rating and its real-world performance. That gap is where the Australian-born NABERS rating system comes in. Jonathan explains how the Better Buildings Partnership brought NABERS to the UK, now known as NABERS UK and administered by CIBSE, to offer a transparent, star-rated measure of actual in-use building performance. It's a system already proven to drive higher rents and lower voids, and one that's increasingly being specified by tenants who want buildings that genuinely perform. The conversation also covers the evolving relationship between landlords and occupiers from green lease clauses and data-sharing obligations to why framing sustainability as mutual opportunity, rather than imposed obligation, is what actually moves the needle. As Jonathan puts it: if you can't measure it, you can't manage it. Will brings the urban placemaking perspective, drawing on Howells' work at Canary Wharf's Eden Dock, a public realm project that has boosted biodiversity, opened up waterside access, and played a direct role in the estate's commercial resurgence. He also reflects on what projects like King's Cross and Paradise Birmingham teach us about the long-term value of retaining heritage assets, and why reducing carbon at all costs isn't always the right answer. Rachel also weighs in on return on investment, why ESG-led improvements don't always pay back overnight, but why the consequential benefits, from stronger occupiers to rental and capital growth, are well worth the long game. Plus, where does the skills gap sit in all of this, and what does the next generation of sustainable property professionals need to know? Answers to these questions and more, right here. For more information and to read our Futureproofing London Report, visit fishergerman.co.uk/insights

Bridging business & charity - the challenges, the future and the need for business collaboration

In this special episode of Fisher German Talks, host Stuart Flint is joined by Sally Chacatte, Founder and Chair of W4Youth, and Tim Sledge, Director of Fundraising at XLP, for a powerful conversation about the realities facing the charity sector, and the young people who rely on it. As Fisher German marks two major milestones, the launch of our Future Proofing London report and the completion of the Big 25 Challenge, the discussion turns to how charities can remain resilient in a time of economic uncertainty, social change, and rising need. It’s a time for business and non-profits to come together. So what needs to happen? Sally and Tim share deeply personal stories about the tragedies that inspired their organisations, the young lives they’ve helped transform, and the urgent need for safe, engaging spaces where young people can thrive. Tim talks about one of XLP’s biggest successes, Adil, who found the charity as an 11-year-old and went on to graduate from King’s College London with a 2-1 in Physics. At the same time, W4Youth’s “Train the Trainer” programme is empowering young leaders in West London, as Sally explains. Together they highlight the extraordinary impact of grassroots action. Collaboration is key: charities, businesses, and communities must come together to future-proof the sector, whether through funding, skills sharing, or rekindling that all-important human connection.

What you can and can’t do with listed buildings – part 2

Listed building regulations are stringent, and unauthorised works can lead to criminal liability with significant fines or even imprisonment. So what are the regulations and how can you stay compliant? To find out Thomas Blake, Associate Partner at Fisher German, is joined once again by a panel of experts:  * Paul Wakefield – Partner and Joint Head of Legal Planning at Shakespeare Martineau * Hannah Hamilton Rutter – Heritage Director at Marrons * Scott O’Dell – Planning Consultant and Associate Partner at Fisher German Recorded in the historic Malt Cross pub in Nottingham - a Victorian music hall dating back to 1877 0- they discuss everything you need to know on listed buildings: when is consent required for works, and what are the key considerations for property owners and developers? What are the implications of curtilage-listed structures? What are the risks associated with unauthorised works on listed buildings?  Before you get involved with a listed building, you’ll need proactive planning, professional guidance, and an understanding of the evolving landscape of heritage asset management. You’ll find it here. For further insights, visit fishergerman.co.uk/insights. Don’t forget to follow Fisher German Talks wherever you get your podcasts, and listen back to part 1 here: https://www.fishergerman.co.uk/insights/podcasts [https://www.fishergerman.co.uk/insights/podcasts]

The UK mortgage market: trends, myths, and forecasts with Cherry Street Finance and Poundland founder Steve Smith

Rising interest rates, changing lending policies, and evolving property investment strategies - navigating the mortgage market can be overwhelming. But what’s really happening, and what should buyers, investors, and homeowners expect in the coming years? Stuart Flint, Partner at Fisher German, is joined by two industry leaders: John Yates, Managing Director of Cherry Street Finance, and Steve Smith, founder of Poundland and now a leading figure in property, finance, and green energy. Together, they unpack the latest trends in the UK mortgage market, dispel common misconceptions, and offer expert guidance for borrowers. You’ll hear: * Where are interest rates headed?  * Lender appetite and eligibility  * Bridging finance explained  * Government intervention * Sustainability incentives John and Steve also share real-world case studies on complex funding scenarios, offering insights into how tailored financial solutions can unlock opportunities for buyers and investors. For more insights and to listen to previous episodes, visit fishergerman.co.uk/insights [https://www.fishergerman.co.uk/insights]