What a reversal in residents attitudes to new housing Simon Clarke, housing secretary is seeking. ’What I would like to have is a system …….. whereby if you’re a resident of X community there is something in it for you about a new settlement in your area. Clever him. He sees why the system is broken. Is it possible? Forty years of policy failure; governments across the spectrum- are a measure of the intransigence in rigid mindsets.
There is a way forward. Incentives are an answer. But they take time to deliver. So look at examples of success elsewhere. There are thrilling urban stories around the world. Can the quality of life for rural and urban residents be improved? Of course. Step one is easy. We all know where never to build. Step two, conduct a spatial analysis of your area with step one flashing at you. Step three is about community control and timing. When can your council take control of the next generation of building land? This means ownership. Land ownership enables councils to control timing, dominate spatial control and through local plans can introduce social and enviromental policies beyond the remit of local plans. Large, inter-generational landed estates achieve a lot of these outcomes, which massively boost local values, without the statutory powers. Take their model, and improve it.
If today’s older residents do not see the wins in their neighbourhood, their children will.
Financially it is a starter. Councils as land owners looking ahead will pocket m
Ian Campbell
5 October 2022
