The new Starmer led government has rapidly raised expectations that it will tackle the housing crisis with vigour. In eight months their new initiatives show sincerity, determination, some good sense mixed with naivety too. But are they listening to the right voices? When trying to change embedded processes, governance boundaries and feifdoms run by vested … Continue reading Use your good sense, PM.

Bath and North East Somerset Council have just issued a new ‘call for sites’. The local council is resetting its local plan in a bid to meet its increased local housing need figure, up from 14500 homes by 2042 to 29,000 by 2045. It seems in September 2024 Kevin Guy the Liberal Democrat leader wrote … Continue reading Call for sites. Simply crazy.

Whilst it is good news the government is pushing forward with its own ideas for growth between Oxford and Cambridge, they seem to be overlooking the interests of local residents. Whilst these very different interests cannot be allowed to block progress there is no reason their financial best interests must suffer. First it is simply … Continue reading Blight policy. ARC v. local residents.

Perhaps it is forty years ago that I learnt a vital lesson. One never to be forgotten. Because it seems to defy common sense. The lesson is a vital and obvious insight into the financial priorities of developers, builders and land speculators who control new homes supply when it is understood. But until it is … Continue reading Overlooked but vital