No-one knows what to expect from Sunak and Gove on planning reform. In July the new PM said ’getting the consent for the number of homes we need is a challenge’; and he added that ’our cities (are) much less dense than lots of other places around Europe (it is) .easier there to build more … Continue reading Fingers Crossed!

The recent decision by Dudley council to withdraw from the Black Country Plan means the other three councils will seek to recoup their costs from Dudley. Dudley council leader disagrees. Coun. Patrick Harley says 20,000 responses to a public consultation, objecting to plans to build on green belt in Dudley is the point of democracy. … Continue reading Duty v Democracy

Duty to cooperate has failed. The Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill will, is the claim, encourage local councils to think about their neighbours needs. Why will this pious wish succeed better? Left to themselves most councils with a serious housing deficit will do nothing. Few voters support new homes near them. Those living locally know … Continue reading Cross border plans by councils need land ownership.

Another council has opted out of the local plan programme. Ashfield District Council wants ’clarification’ from PM Truss. The council had proposed 8226 homes between 2020 and 2038. Council leader Jason Zadrozny says they will not include 8000 houses wanted by the government. He has a point. After all Truss has recently said we should … Continue reading Let’s opt out.

Reigate and Banstead Council have rejected 300 new homes at Sandcross Lane. Why? Not because the site is old greenbelt land; simply they have a five year supply, so it is oversupply. Local residents views are passionate. ‘There is no need for this development. The green spaces in the area are being lost in the … Continue reading 76,000 or 300? All the same to locals?

Dudley Council has changed its mind. Reflecting local fears, Coun.Patrick Harley says he will recommend his cabinet withdraw from the regional plan, calling it a very emotive subject. Other local leaders have expressed surprise and disappointment, or even more at the outcome. Deciding the location for 76,000 new homes in the Black Country needed by … Continue reading Can Truss resolve local conflicts?

Simon Clarke, the housing secretary uses phases to reassure. He is ‘steadfastly committed’ to build more homes, but pledges to ‘go further’. With these worthy intentions it is right to wait a few weeks. In areas of chronic and acute housing shortage, like Wokingham Borough, and Windsor and Maidenhead, the Conservative conflicts will come face … Continue reading Will the Truss team ’Go Further?’

What a reversal in residents attitudes to new housing Simon Clarke, housing secretary is seeking. ’What I would like to have is a system …….. whereby if you’re a resident of X community there is something in it for you about a new settlement in your area. Clever him. He sees why the system is … Continue reading Incentivise locals to welcome housing

Hurrah! We all agree. Do you remember Pete Seeger singing Ticky Tacky little boxes, all the same in 1963? Worth the two minutes of time. After 60 years of beautiful warning, or 30 years blunt warning someone is listening. Well done Levelling-up Secretary Simon Clarke. This is progress. 2084 looks like a realistic guess. Thank … Continue reading No cardboard boxes in our shires

This is the policy of Lee Rowley the new housing minister. Engaging with residents means they must step up to the plate too. Rights come with responsibilities, he says. Will he and his boss have the courage to follow through? Taken literally, these words will mend the broken planning system. For example, look at Maidenhead’s … Continue reading Be straight with local residents