The government has published its Plans for change. They provide insight into the personal beliefs and convictions of the Prime Minister. So the fact that he has put his head on the block to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029 matters. And he is saying some very sensible things, which I dearly hope he … Continue reading PM has raised the bar. Shows courage!

BBC1 TV programme Sunday with Laura Kuenesburgh this morning was good. We heard promising remarks about future housing and infrastructure supply from the Deputy PM Angela Rayner, all said with integrity. Then some cautious but conciliatory remarks also said with integrity from the Conservative spokesman, Richard their shadow chief secretary to the Treasury. He wisely … Continue reading Facing facts; delivering the foundations

Good to hear some candid common sense from our Prime Minister from his speech at Pinewood Studios. From today’s generation of politicians honesty is a rarity. He is right to observe that if you walk around England and look at the infrastructure, it is plain we have freeloaded off the British genius of the past. … Continue reading Is 1.5 million homes target ‘too ambitious’ ?

On Monday, 2nd December 2024 The Times published a leading article setting out the paper’s view on planning reforms. It says the government must stick to its election promise to support infrastructure and housing development and reform Britain’s broken planning system. Now, I hesitate to say they miss the key point: there is no easy … Continue reading The Times view on planning reforms

When writing the last blog just two days go, Wokingham Council: how to fail your community (23 November 2024) I had not seen two new, important and encouraging pieces of evidence. For the first time since the election there is reason to hope this government and its advisers are on the right lines: seeking and … Continue reading Is reality on the horizon?

According to a piece in Wokingham.Today (Featured Wokingham) by Ruth Lucas, today (23 November 2024) Wokingham Borough Council will appeal to the government over new housing targets which it fears will ‘change the character and nature of Wokingham forever’. They must build 560 more homes a year under new housing targets set by the new … Continue reading Wokingham Council: how to fail your community!

Most of these blogs focus on removing the barriers to building enough new homes to release the economic growth the nation needs to preserve and increase national prosperity, so essential to deliver future voter expectations. But the changes needed will have consequences, sometimes dire consequences for many builders, developers, option holders and ,and owners as … Continue reading 2 Elephants, not 1 in the room?

In Kemi Badenoch the Conservatives have a new leader. Who comes from a radically different upbringing and background to typical Conservative party leaders. She says ‘It’s time for a fresh start’. ( Sunday Telegraph, 3 November). Yesterday on hearing the news the Prime Minister welcoming Kemi Badenoch as the new Conservative leader Sir Keir said … Continue reading Working Together. Myth or the Future?

Have now completed a first read of this recently published report, Beyond the permacrisis-delivering 1000 homes a day, intended to mould the new government’s approach to housing policy, I have one severe criticism. But first a personal declaration. Is there a conflict? As I am listed as one of the Contributors. There is a lot … Continue reading Radix Big Tent report: a view

Many respected planners assume that whatever changes the new government introduces to expedite new homes, infrastructure and economic growth must be delivered through the local plan system. But it is also possible local plans are the problem and not part of the solution. For example Catriona Riddell, who is an expert on local plans and … Continue reading Time to put local plans on death row?