A few days ago, last Wednesday actually (11 March 2026) I wrote a short blog about the scale of opposition to big new projects in London; called Objections and objectors. Examples mentioned were the opposition to projects at Elephant and Castle, Paddington and Liverpool Street, from nimbies and architectural conservationists. My point was that objectors have a controlling point of view despite the fact that it is built on ignorance of housing demand. . And this is a point of view which has played the central role in forming housing policy, first at very local level and then at strategic level for a generation or more. Well pause here. Re-reading it I see that my assumption this ignorance and its malign consequences were obvious to impartial and benign and concerned readers was foolishly optimistic. This naivety I have seen is at the bidding of a highly regarded and experienced communications expert active in the world of development PR. He knows about these things. It is his living. So this new blog looks at the world inhabited by objectors to change, because either my views –that for one or two past generations they are a malign influence preventing change and are destined to continue to weave their bad spell-or my diagnosis of housing policy failure, ( for example, see 5 March 2026 blog Face facts: councils cannot deliver the homes), is defective and a misreading of the causes of spatial misfiring and excessive house prices and rents.
Before looking again at the facts, here is the debate.
I said ‘ Attributing blame for unwise planning decisions to councillors because of their political allegiance misses the point. It is local residents across the spectrum who dislike change near them. Above all in poplar areas. Until this changes building for the future will push against local sentiment. Look at the last 40 years.
The expert said ‘I deal with councillors of all persuasions every week. I would much rather they take decisions on schemes than planning officers…’
I said ‘The snag us they have their locally led agenda. Which post war planning experience shows often opposes national policy priorities. Whose agenda is then paramount’.
The expert said ‘The best councils regularly approve hugh schemes, They know their patch but can be brave. Councils like Southwark are just brilliant…’
I said. ‘That is good to know. Unfortunately it does not explain why house prices are about double where they need to be to give young people fair treatment. Boosting densities in urban areas to increase supply will be highly contentious for local residents. How can they be turned into welcoming hosts?’.
The expert said. ‘That is already happening across London’.
I struggle to accept this reassurance. Only this week there are two interesting London examples of the ability of objectors to pass over reality. By which I mean homes are more important than urban vegetables and homes are more important than the views of local celebrities. Both stories illustrate the extent to which, in the absence of wise leadership, passionate, partisan and uninformed objectors will use the media’s desire for conflict to promote their own priorities ahead of silent but far more important housing needs of the next generation.
The BBC News (15 March 2026; Connie Bowker) headline says Allotment saved from Duke’s development plans, which follows a story of allotment holders successfully resisting for ten years plans by the family estate of the Duke of Northumberland to build flats on an existing site used for allotments. Labour councillor Salman Shaheen said the decision by the landowner to retain the allotments would‘’be celebrated by residents and allotments holders alike’.
Councillor Shaheen had nothing to say about the families and the other future residents whose search for an affordable home will be stopped because ‘Allotments bring so much joy to so many people. They are a green sanctuary, a little patch of paradise in our urban environment.’. The story reports there were more than 900 objections to the planning application to build 90 flats. The proposal was rejected by the Hounslow Council because it had the potential to harm local open space, heritage sites, and allotments. The council’s decision was upheld on appeal. The chair of the Park Road Allotment Association was equally honest, saying the group was ‘over the moon’ and that ‘We look forward to continuing to grow fruit and vegetables, and welcoming new growers’. Welcoming new residents too was not mentioned. . Is this standard of civic leadership going to provide homes for the next generation?
The Times ( 14 March 2026, Rob McGibbon/Izzy Lyons) headline is eye-catching, Mick Jagger condemns One Battersea Bridge: ‘Wrong on every level’. Mr Jagger, from Chelsea, and another local celebrity Felicity Kendal are challenging a planned 28 storey residential tower overlooking the Thames of 142 flats. Kendal, a famous actress whose opinions on the housing crisis are not known says
‘It is a total eyesore and completely out if keeping with this area. It simply must not be allowed . If they allow this, it will mark the beginning of the end of Battersea riverside as we know-and love-it. It will open up a a free for all for other developers to build towers along the river. Before long it will become another Vauxhall. These days developers don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. They are just in it for the money . If the Inspector goes against the will of everyone-the people and the council-and allows this tower it will be travesty. It will be a defeat for democracy and basic common sense.’.
Mr Jagger’s views are equally forthright. Saying ‘Such a hugh building project of another high tower in Battersea and Chelsea makes no sense and is totally wrong on every level. I have lived in this area for a long time and I care about what happens to it. If this goes ahead it could lead to more tall buildings being built in the area and changing this wonderful stretch of the Thames riverside for ever’.
These are the views of two high profile local residents. Their personal opinions are in the judgement of the Times newspaper important enough to be the lead element of this story. Fortunately the developer gets in too, at the end of the piece, to point out that the plans include 50% affordable social homes. The future occupants don’t get a mention. The veteran local councillor Tony Belton, who has served on the council since 1971 seems pleased with the unity between Tory and Labour opposition. Three years before he became a councillor in 1968 on the outer edge of London I bought my first home, a three bedroom town house for £6650. Cllr Belton seems proud of the record of the achievements of his council over the 55 year period, when my old home may soon cost one million. Ridiculous is the word that comes to mind. Surely this rate of house cost inflation is wrong, unfair to our kids, and as an inheritance for their future, one our generation (I’ll soon be 85) should be ashamed. It reflects policy failure from which lessons are yet be learnt.
I think my next reply to the expert is now clearer. The enlightened, long term thinking is not happening in the way we might both wish. House price inflation will start again when sentiment once again fires up, as experience shows it always does fortunately. Investors keep coming back. How lucky are we? This time we must plan far ahead. Stop scaring residents, by making them into informed and welcoming hosts. . It will take years., Take hold of Cllr Belton’s political unity, and build a one and two generations local future plan. We know where not build. Now we need to agree where, one day, we can build for national needs and favourable local residents.
Ian Campbell
16 March 2026
