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 and officers at the local level, there is also one between local and national politicians. Local councillor sentiment appears to be at odds with national housing policy, with a clearly expressed lack of confidence that national policy is fit for purpose on a local level. When asked ‘If you could reform one area of planning law, what would it be?’ the top answer was reducing central Government’s role in local planning’. “
In my last blog, dated 28 July 2023 I noted that Michael Gove says Conservative backbenchers, once they look at his plans will realise his initiatives are in the public interest, which is true. But I added the MP’s electorates will not see the national interest in the same context. Building lots of new homes near them for no plain reason through the next two or three decades makes all the difference in their local area.. The SEC Newgate report endorses this all important disconnect, even if officers in local council planning departments try to deliver the government’s wishes.
Which priority comes first? The national interest or the local interest? If it is the former, Micael Gove has a problem. It is the wicked issue the Conservative party has turned its back on for nearly four decades. Which is why Cambridge 2040 is interesting..It is a return to the real world. But can Michael Gove find the political support he will need? Pious exhortations to backbenchers will not suffice.
Ian Campbell
3 August 2023
