Interesting that Taylor Wimpey have lodged an appeal for consent to build 1700+ new homes in the isolated depths of Surrey’s countryside. Very near the Royal Horticulture Society’s HQ and following Guildford Borough Council failure to decide. They bought the site in 2020. Their roots in the area are transitory. Creating popular places, following the … Continue reading Lessons from Wisley and Welbourne

Within the context of the prevailing political debate why does the serious media so often fail to look at underlying causes of house excessive house prices and rents? After all extortionate accommodation costs are destroying the financial prospects for the post boomer generation. In the run-up to the general election this omission reflects poorly. Perhaps … Continue reading Is lack of homes No.1 political election issue?

The idea aired last year of paying local residents to agree to locate on-shore wind turbines near them has re-emerged with the suggestion that residents be paid to accept new electricity pylons near them. These are essential the government says to meet its goals for electricity to be fossil free by 2035. Demand for electricity … Continue reading Pay residents to say ‘yes’?

SEC Newgate, a consultancy recently published a report based on the attitudes (February and March 2023) of local councillors towards new homes in their areas. The data base is small, 311 responses out of 4882 councillors, but it is useful too, on one point in particular. To quote “If there is a disconnect between councillors … Continue reading Local disconnect

On another blog I will explain why Michael Gove’s ‘Long term plan for housing’ published on Monday will fail, despite some worthy initiatives. The gigantic cause is the lack of local support for large scale housing, Here is an unpublished letter I sent the following day to the editor of The Times on Tuesday (25th … Continue reading No local support = Undeliverable

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?

Between the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough Council and South Buckinghamshire, an informative housing conflict exists. Long before the 4th May local elections, RBWM & Slough had locked horns.The three councils face a spatial problem, (13,500 new homes are foot-loose); a cross border problem, (Slough has the housing shortfall, but no land; RBWM … Continue reading Rbwn V Slough Council

More helpful, encouraging, yet worrying details of Labour’s thinking is emerging. Some commentary is necessary. Labour must keep their eye on the paramount objective, providing the large number of new homes needed but only with local support. There will be a transition period ahead. This means being extremely careful not to be sided-lined by short-term, … Continue reading Labour planning policy: 2nd ps!

Before turning to the problems of housing supply in Windsor, Slough and Maidenhead as mentioned in my last blog, new public comments by Sir Keir Starmer and from Labour’s shadow housing and planning minister, Matthew Pennycock, need context, if the dangers of housing stasis by a Labour government are to be avoided. Sir Keir says … Continue reading Labour policy: a ps

Local elections two weeks ago have fired up the planning debate. This is good news. For too long both main parties turned their back on housing policy. And the Liberal Democrats propensity to jump into the void created by local frustration explains why. Let’s just get into power, is their motto. Best not to ask … Continue reading Get real + local support