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

Sad but it seems Rushi Sunak is another muddled PM. He too is committed to making home ownership a reality for a new generation , and encouragingly states we must build the homes in the right places where people want to live and work. This is good stuff. He wants the decisions taken locally. Quite … Continue reading Muddle or mad?

If existing residents want the new houses in their home area, they will happen. But how? In England, is it possible? Our new King has produced compelling evidence that it is possible. Hugh Graham (Sunday Times, 6 November 2022; Was Charles streets ahead) says new houses in Poundbury carry a 29% premium over new build … Continue reading Popular places are possible.

The new housing minister, Lucy Frazer is well intentioned, like all her predecessors. That is good. Rightly she says ‘what people often object to isn’t always homes, it’s about ugly large developments that are crowbarred without their consent into their areas…..’. Widespread recognition at all levels that current house prices and rents are excessive is … Continue reading Leaders must Concentrate

Woking councillors are the latest exponents of populist planning. Plans for a 366 flat tower of 28 storeys, approved on a second appeal has angered Cllr Ann-Marie, leader of Woking council. “I am bitterly disappointed with the outcome ……. . Local residents do not wish to see further high rise development and this appeal has … Continue reading Is the law supreme?

The new prime minister has assured the Conservative MP for Aldridge-Brownhills Wendy Morton his government will protect the green belt and and the policy is to adopt a ‘brownfield first’ strategy. She is worried saying ‘we are at risk of 8000 new homes being dumped in the constituency’. The PM wisely adds that it is … Continue reading Brownfield first?

Increasing densities in urban areas in theory makes sense. But reality is tough for local councils and residents on the ground. Proposals to increase density on a small, 6 unit residential site in The Close, Sandhurst are heavily criticised by neighbours and local leaders. Citing increased traffic, insufficient parking, impact on trees, overlooking, overshadowing, overbearing … Continue reading Density, Democracy =Local Control

The former chancellor of the exchequer, Philip Hammond was candid on Sunday’s Kuenssberg show. There is conflict between providing 300,000 new homes a year and the truth, many Conservative in rural areas do not want the homes near them. He added, everyone wants a solution, provided it is not on their doorstep. He says the … Continue reading A hugh challenge. And a solution.