Several days ago the government announced measures to strengthen (I think they mean ‘their’) ) commitment to building enough of the right homes in the right places with the right infrastructure. Good and welcome words. Whether this rallying cry will be heard and also acted on by those who control delivery-local councils, local land owners, … Continue reading Will they? Won’t they?

The lack of government policy on housing supply does need more consideration. It is good to see in today’s edition of the The Times (House-building Blight, leading article) support for an agenda ‘to meet its future housing need that crosses party lines and carries over between parliaments’. Proceeding along these lines is a radical step … Continue reading Spatial Matters too

Michael Gove has dropped mandatory housing targets. Does this mean the houses needed will not emerge? Not necessarily if local councils take their housing responsibility with complete commitment. To do this they must face the conflict most council areas face, the need for enough new houses sufficient to make them affordable. Will councils step up … Continue reading Has Gove turned tail?

Responding to back bench pressure from Theresa Villiers, MP and her 50+ supporters Michael Gove, has withdrawn the Levelling Up Bill. It is reported he wants to work constructively with colleagues on the matter. There is no plan to provide the homes growth and productivity needs, or the homes the next generations need. These are … Continue reading Will Gove grasp the nettle?

Let us assume Rishi Sunak, the PM and Michael Gove, his Secretary of State for housing sincerely want to solve the housing supply shortfall. And let us assume they want to accomodate the onslaught Theresa Villiers and her 50 strong band of backbench rebels threaten. There may be a way which was not mentioned in … Continue reading Another way

For the PM and leader of the opposition to argue about housing during Question Time is welcome. At long last a difficult question is receiving attention across the political divide at the highest level. The government decision to delay the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill so it can bring forward new proposals in due course … Continue reading Housing deficit, Tory pain.

Another voice has joined the chorus, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer says the Prime Minister, by failing to push through planning reform kills off the dream of home ownership. In his reply, at Question Time in the House this week the Prime Minister revealed his solution, by staying silent. How sad this is. You might … Continue reading The PM is silent.

The government has delayed the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, either due to lack of time, or more likely due to a group of 50 Conservative MP’s signing an amendment removing the Whitehall imposed housing targets on local councils. Simon Clarke, who was a former levelling up secretary has issued a balanced response, saying “There … Continue reading Housing Policy: the vacuum continues

Government appointed appeals Inspector B.J.Sims, in his report on plans for 220 dwellings on a greenfield site on the edge of Swindon recognises the council’s disquiet but says the contributions offered by the developer are the most that can (be) brought forward on the agreed evidence of viability. Deciding an appeal for housing in the … Continue reading Another myth: viability

If you sometimes wonder what part of the housing market is broken, stories in The Times today (14 November 2022) make plain the magnitude of the problem. Fresh swathes of the countryside must never be touched the advocates say. Given the rich literary heritage spread throughout England this contentious issue could be another green belt: … Continue reading Literary Landscapes