DLUHC, or local? Which agency?

Is this a return to strategic planning abolished by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011? The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) last month published a report they commissioned written by Tony Poulter entitled Homes England Public Bodies Review 2023. Significantly it says Homes England should play a bigger role in leading and … Continue reading DLUHC, or local? Which agency?

Is Devolution the housing solution?

On 13 March 2024 the Institute of Government think-tank published a valuable paper, How should The the next government complete the job of English devolution? A serious and sensible piece of work, that reminds me of the earlier, heavyweight CMA report in some regards, more blind spots. . This new analysis of the governance weaknesses … Continue reading Is Devolution the housing solution?

How powerful is Nimbyism?

Local opposition is at the heart of our broken planning system. Nimbyism has over several decades shown its power to stop progress . Excessive house prices, weak economic growth, failed levelling up, unloved new builds and outstanding zero carbon targets are all the symptoms of policy failure on several fronts: local democracy, fear of local … Continue reading How powerful is Nimbyism?

Who will decide?

Encouraging news from Manchester. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority, comprising nine local councils, came into being on 21 March 2024. Its purpose is to align cross border spatial policies. But it will have no statutory planning powers nor a remit to act as a spatial leader with power to deliver growth policies. The President of … Continue reading Who will decide?

Labour housing policy: but don’t forget!

Reading the summary of Rachel Reeves, Labour’s shadow chancellor of the exchequer Mais speech, 19 March 2024 about their planning reforms I was overwhelmed with relief and shaken with concerns. My feelings of bedlam were, and remain an odd sensation of suspended hope and oppressive fear. Relief because Reeves did not hit one nail on … Continue reading Labour housing policy: but don’t forget!

Most people do not trust the planning system to make their lives better.

Planning minister Lee Rowley said so on Tuesday. It does not surprise me. After decades of confrontational planning of the worst sort, the battlefield is littered with the debris of the war . Poorly located and poorly supported housing, priced at twice the fair rate, plainly designed to the lowest cost denominator, situated without regard … Continue reading Most people do not trust the planning system to make their lives better.

Cambridge: the spatial vision comes first

Dreams do not deliver without foundations. On the 6th March 2024 the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issued Guidance, under the title The Case for Cambridge. And it makes good reading; raises great hopes; and contains some credibility which is rooted in market reality. Actually I endorse most of the paean to. Cambridge. … Continue reading Cambridge: the spatial vision comes first