Michael Gove’s major housing speech in London this morning alongside the new parallel housing observations by the Prime Minister release dual emotions, Joy and dismay. The return journey out of Alice in Wonderland’s never, never garden is starting. At last. This reversal (because Cambridge 2040 is the explicit clue, the rest us fluff) is welcome … Continue reading Good news or false dawn?
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.
Cambridge 2040: foundations first
Michael Gove’s idea for tripling the size of Cambridge illustrates the need for a national strategic and spatial plan for England. The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) initiative lacks a wider context. Local experts whilst sympathetic say it cannot be delivered. The three previous posts (9, 11 and 14 July) address the muddled … Continue reading Cambridge 2040: foundations first
Cambridge: to grow, or not to grow?
Whilst not denying the Cambridge growth idea and recognising the need for a long term approach, the Minister’s response to the Cambridge leak is ambiguous. Perhaps tellingly, a plan to win local support is not mentioned. Matilda Battersby of Housing Today (14 July 2023) has another interesting article on responses to the plan, if it … Continue reading Cambridge: to grow, or not to grow?
Conservative confusion continues?
Angry response from the local Cambridge MP to the idea of massive growth. His blunt choice of words, based on toy opposition to a water supply deficit, matter. They stop growth and promote spatial chaos. In my last blog, two days ago I suggested Michael Gove’s thoughtful plans to build 250,000 new homes around Cambridge in … Continue reading Conservative confusion continues?
Britain’s new Silicon Valley: Cambridge + 250,000
A very good re-start of strategic thinking by the Conservatives; their first attempt since 2011. How will local support be achieved? The weakness? Where is the spatial growth thinking on which it relies? It is the first good news about the housing crisis from the Conservatives for a very long time. Harry Yorke , Deputy … Continue reading Britain’s new Silicon Valley: Cambridge + 250,000
Housing. Does Sunak understand or care?
Sunak is faint-hearted. He is likely to try and avoid the housing issue as it's too contentious. An incoherent Tory housing policy will continue. Ex-Minister for the environment says the PM is simply uninterested. The decision announced today by Lord Zac Goldsmith, to quit his environmental ministerial role, saying the Prime Minister is ‘simply uninterested’ … Continue reading Housing. Does Sunak understand or care?
Higher interest rates hit the young?
To stop the growth of intergenerational resentment igniting due to the housing racket, which transfers wealth from the have-nots to the haves, local councils must introduce spatial access policies. By abolishing the law of trespass councils can create a new category of public open space and rural open space (ROS) into deals with land owners so green … Continue reading Higher interest rates hit the young?
Labour housing policy: worthy start?
Some aspects of Labour’s draft housing policies are promising. But others are confused. The function of green belts is an example. Are they to be a public amenity? 90% of open countryside is private - public access is denied. According to Housing Today (Joey Gardiner, 26 June 2023);the shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy says if … Continue reading Labour housing policy: worthy start?
Is local politics a barrier?
New homes must have local support. This cannot be achieved by one party in isolation, nor can it be done within a five year Parliament and it cannot happen if landowners are treated, as they see it, unfairly. 50 years of housing policy failure is proof. On Friday 23 May 2023) the Financial Times published … Continue reading Is local politics a barrier?
2084! Is it futile to look so far ahead?
Is looking two generations ahead unrealistic? It is necessary. Most communities simply do not want new homes near them. Local opposition and local anger grows each year from all corners of the political spectrum except the young. But we are short of 4+ million new homes and due to the impact of an ageing population … Continue reading 2084! Is it futile to look so far ahead?