Sunak says his party will deliver on promises to level up, by investing in local areas to boost growth and reinvigorate high streets and town centres. Starmer says his party, as part of a five year, parliamentary term growth strategy will reform the planning system. In reality, will either mend the broken planning system, and set foundations in place for affordable homes?
Levelling up cannot happen in five years, if Sunak means genuine equality of opportunity and economic parity throughout the nation, welcome though some additional pedestrian areas may be in local town centres. No levelling reality here.
In contrast seeking sustainable growth over five years is the valid use of the English language. Achieving such growth……we’ll see? If in the first five years of a Labour government there is radical reform of the planning system, which could be done, future generations will owe Starmer a big hug, but with one big proviso. There is, and this must be stressed, absolutely no point in bringing in reforms to the planning system if the Conservatives say they will reverse Labour’s changes. The market, especially land owners will once again sit on their hands and freeze the market if both parties do not support the changes.
It is not clear if Starmer appreciates this burdensome requirement? Why not publicly face the reality now, before the election? Identify the need for joint action in their manifesto. By doing so, demonstrate to the electorate a higher level of thoughtful thinking about future housing costs, environmental concerns, and regional growth opportunities? There is beyond doubt a window of opportunity. Everyone bar a few zealots and platoons of vested interests agree the system fails to deliver. Sadly it seems unlikely the Conservative party are ready to face the truth. Foolishness on their part, as their understanding of market threats and opportunities is superior: Cnut knew he was fooling around before laying the foundations of 300 years of Norman dominance and Anglo-Saxon subservience.
Here is a negotiating suggestion for Starmer’s manifesto. Unlock the open countryside and the woodlands by extending the right to roam, a timely response to Covid and the lock-down. Land owners naturally will be fearful, and might see planning reform as the lesser evil. After all, historians and journalists too might become curious about the sources of all that inherited wealth?
Ian Campbell
24 February 2023