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 The gigantic cause is the lack of local support for large scale housing, Here is an unpublished letter I sent the following day to the editor of The Times on Tuesday (25th July 2023). Perhaps it prompted a promising, but incomplete article which has appeared in today Times by Emma Duncan examining the national interest when conflicts with local fears arise.
Sir,
Only died in the wool nimby fanatics will trash the first attempt at genuine, almost seminal urban planning by the Sunak and Gove partnership.. What is there not to like if this team can deliver urban beauty, streetscapes which command premium values without cars in command.
But there is a problem.The plan is undeliverable. And not for technical reasons, eg. lack of water as the local MP says.. Because there is no local support for large scale house building anywhere.. Michael Gove says that Conservative backbenchers once they look at his plans will realise these initiatives are in the public interest. They will, but their electorates will not. This conflict between local and national priorities will only be resolved when the benefits of change are self-evident.
One political party, acting in isolation cannot solve this conflict. Striking the right balance is fundamental to winning local acceptance for local change. It is time for them to start looking for common ground.
Regards…..Ian Campbell
Emma Duncan’s column is worth reading. It is the first recognition in the national media there is an unresolved conflict between local fears and national need. Which comes first? The article is here
https//www.thetimes.co.uk/article/f701874a-2caf-11ee-sede-28bc53acbdb8?shareToken=836515467e548c7d06a152e52e84138
But she ends a sensible analysis by saying it is a matter of courage. This is no answer. It is why we have a broken planning system and weak economic growth. If the necessary numbers of new homes are to be built a different approach is needed. Currently no-one wants large scale new housing development near them. One party within one parliament cannot solve the conflict. Striking the right balance between national needs and local fears is fundamental to winning local support.First a national plan with cross-party support in Westminster, followed with local areas then fulfilling their role, deciding the spatial and other issues from a local perspective.
How long will it need for this elephant in the room to be seen?
Ian Campbell
28 July 2023
