Amongst serious planning observators there seems to be a consensus that provided the perceived failures of the local plan led system are removed all will be well. In other words the housing deficit will, in the long term, be removed as councils are compelled to build the housing numbers dished out by government. This prospect … Continue reading Has the ‘plan led’ system failed?

Today’s Sky News (28 December 2025) has a story by their City Editor, Mark Kleinman saying that Sir Keir Starmer has has ordered Britain’s key watchdogs to remove barriers to growth, in an attempt to kickstart Britain’s sluggish economy. He has written to more than ten regulators demanding they submit details of pro-growth initiatives by … Continue reading Growth v. local opposition

Happy Christmas to us all, if not original, it is sincere. Being asked what you want for Christmas when you have reached a certain age makes me think. Here is my answer. One wish is private and enduring. The other is this. To quickly build on the insights and visions of England’s long term future. … Continue reading Two wishes today

It is the classic tragedy. A sincere, well meaning policy based on assumptions of integrity that will fall flat. The government has set out proposals to confiscate land needed for housing at far below market value. They call removal of a need to pay hope value to land owners a reform. It is not. It … Continue reading Confiscation will slow housing delivery

A lot of people now have an opinion about the causes and the solutions to England’s housing crisis. This is welcome if the debate is informed. Sometimes it is not. More often commentary is about a point of detail. Which is premature and indeed at this stage of change usually pointless. Solving the housing crisis … Continue reading Why are you blind?

The government has published its Plans for change. They provide insight into the personal beliefs and convictions of the Prime Minister. So the fact that he has put his head on the block to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029 matters. And he is saying some very sensible things, which I dearly hope he … Continue reading PM has raised the bar. Shows courage!

BBC1 TV programme Sunday with Laura Kuenesburgh this morning was good. We heard promising remarks about future housing and infrastructure supply from the Deputy PM Angela Rayner, all said with integrity. Then some cautious but conciliatory remarks also said with integrity from the Conservative spokesman, Richard their shadow chief secretary to the Treasury. He wisely … Continue reading Facing facts; delivering the foundations

Good to hear some candid common sense from our Prime Minister from his speech at Pinewood Studios. From today’s generation of politicians honesty is a rarity. He is right to observe that if you walk around England and look at the infrastructure, it is plain we have freeloaded off the British genius of the past. … Continue reading Is 1.5 million homes target ‘too ambitious’ ?

On Monday, 2nd December 2024 The Times published a leading article setting out the paper’s view on planning reforms. It says the government must stick to its election promise to support infrastructure and housing development and reform Britain’s broken planning system. Now, I hesitate to say they miss the key point: there is no easy … Continue reading The Times view on planning reforms