The New Towns Taskforce is fully manned, fired-up and away. The chair and members look promising. Reading its Terms of Reference, the NTT looks like the government’s best hope so far for boosting economic growth, the supply of new homes and above all putting the national interest first when making spatial decisions about development. For … Continue reading New Towns Taskforce: thundering off
Author: hattoncampbell
Chartered surveyor (ex/retired/2015); founder(1978) & senior partner Campbell Gordon; residential land buyer Wates Ltd; author several publications 1969/1990/1992/2014 addressing Thames Valley growth conflicts;ex-chair RICS Measurement C/ee; past chair & vice-president Berkshire Community Foundation.
Local support? Yes, no or…..?
Promising article in the Guardian, (Sunday, 16 September 2016, Kiran Stacey) about local support for more new homes. If true, it is the best planning news since the general election. According to YouGov polling fewer than one in five voters are “hard nimbys”, essentially those who oppose local house building under almost any circumstances. Jack … Continue reading Local support? Yes, no or…..?
Wrong friends?
Building lots of new homes in a hurry carries risks. Taking advice from the wrong ‘experts’ increases the risks. Building 1.5 million attractive, sustainable new homes in one parliament is not possible. Which matters more? Lots of new boxes built in the suburbs regardless of location, quality and local support …. but fast? Or getting … Continue reading Wrong friends?
Where power lies. Reality or illusion?
Institute report good analysis of system defects. But solution is wishful thinking The regarded think tank, the Institute for Government has published (30 August 2024) a thorough analysis of the the reasons why successive governments have found it difficult to deliver on housebuilding pledges. How the government can build more homes, written by the Institute … Continue reading Where power lies. Reality or illusion?
SE council leaders = myopia or maturity?
Change is a generation away. Out of date attitudes will delay the changes needed. Local councils do not wish to face the future. There is an unresolved conflict. Changing entrenched mind-sets is not easy. Sincerely held, deeply rooted beliefs can be at the core of an individual’s convictions. Change, even when the evidence is overwhelming … Continue reading SE council leaders = myopia or maturity?
Councillors! Wise leaders, shrewd landowners or timid cowards?
Need for local support is paramount. Whose priorities must prevail? We need a debate. We also need more than 5 years. So an alliance is also needed. This will be a communications challenge. Resisting change is not an option. Are some Tory leaders a lobby for no change? The government assumes, with a lot of … Continue reading Councillors! Wise leaders, shrewd landowners or timid cowards?
Massive mistake: fast reversal
Plans to buy building land at a discount are a mistake. Saying so gives Labour’s opponents a powerful weapon. Instead Labour must reach out to the other parties. Lead story in today’s front cover of the The Times, is a piece by their Policy Editor, Oliver Wright. He reports that councils are to be given … Continue reading Massive mistake: fast reversal
Fear of change(2): local support
History of growing local opposition. Tories abolish the future. New government must find ways to reverse the 1970/1980’s silent, undemocratic revolution. Why is there very little local support for change? Why is there so little foresight? Why are local leaders so often myopic as a group despite the obvious detrimental consequences? Why do local residents … Continue reading Fear of change(2): local support
Frustration, failure and fear (1)
A one party housing solution will not work. A 5 year, one parliament housing solution will not work. Landowners must become allies, not opponents. Councils must act like investors, looking generations ahead. They are custodians of the future. Unlike many online housing commentators, buoyed up by Angela Rayner’s, Deputy PM announcements published on Tuesday (30 … Continue reading Frustration, failure and fear (1)
New Towns Code
Developers who are by nature traders, not long term investors cannot deliver new towns-even if they say they can. Place making, creating premiums locations people will love, takes decades, foresight and shrewd civic leadership. According to the government today this New Town Code will be a code of rules that developers will have to meet … Continue reading New Towns Code