Steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal has decided to up sticks from Bishops Avenue in Hampstead, after Barrat Homes were given permission to build a block of luxury flats right next door. Britain's richest man apparently didn't fancy contending with one of the banes of urban living, namely, having the neighbours peer over the fence, and had campaigned against the building's construction. However, his appeal was unsuccessful, so - some what petulantly - he's put his 'Summer Palace' on the market.

The steel and glass house can be yours for a mere £40 million, which should give you some spare pennies for that essential new-home visit to Ikea. Should you choose to buy, you will be able to have neighbours like the Sultan of Brunei and various Saudi royals round for tea and crackers. Time to break open the piggy bank and cash that giro, and don't forget to invite your favourite London blog along for the housewarming.

Pic from Nicobobinus' Flickrstream