There is an unofficial proposal, first launched nine months ago, with some interesting supporters for a new city of one million people east of Cambridge. Parking spatial aspects of the location, actually the idea has a lot elemental good sense within its conception. But the unashamedly ambitious proposal cuts across current Whitehall thinking, pays little … Continue reading Does Forest City set the housing agenda?

In yesterday’s edition of the Guardian (23 July 2026) there is a persuasive and, if his aspirations succeed, an influential Opinion piece by our new Prime Minister headed, ‘ It’s not just a No 10 in the north, it’s an engine for growth throughout the whole UK’. He is right to call the piece an … Continue reading Can Andy Burnham “solve the housing crisis”?

More pundits are talking about house prices being too high. Which is revealing core sentiment. As a general statement it is true. But general statements about the English housing market are always wrong. Locations differ. Price bands appeal to different sections of buyers. The fascinating question is, if home prices are generally too high for … Continue reading Buy land now

Have Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch just crossed the (planning) Rubicon? Both have expressed a wish to work with political opponents. Burnham (2 July 2026 interview with LBC, Daniel Green) said his approach to governing will based on three principles :(1) putting place before party; (2) prioritising problem-solving over political point scoring; and (3) taking … Continue reading The politics of local change

Do you want to know what haphazard, unplanned house building in the suburban south east will look like? Do you want to know what gentle densification will look at in the real world? Not the re-assurances based on political theory? Around the edges of existing communities, villages towns and rural areas if the existing broken … Continue reading Dye is cast.

There is a sensible piece of political delivery analysis by Sir David Lidington in the Institute of Government (03 July 2026) Monday Briefing examining whether a new Number 10 North will or not, work? He has appropriate experience so his views carry weight. Lidington makes the political point that Burnham will need to show results … Continue reading Can Burnham deliver the homes needed?