More Comment – Page 22
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CommentThe housing delivery conundrum really isn’t that difficult
If the government really wants to see more new homes delivered, all they have to do is plan for it, argues Paul Smith
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CommentThe UK must follow Ireland’s lead on retrofitting homes
The Irish government last month announced a national retrofitting scheme. Anthony Coumidis argues UK ministers should follow suit and fund a retrofitting revolution rather than relying on heat pumps
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CommentThe death of planning reform has been exaggerated
Changes to the system can still be made, even without a standalone planning bill, argues Paul Smith
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CommentNew subsidised housing is needed for Ukrainian refugees
History shows us we should be wary of relying on short-term fixes to house refugees, writes Derek Long
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CommentWe should stop seeing the green belt as sacrosanct
Misunderstanding of the purpose of the green belt is leading to too many applications being determined at appeal, writes David Churchill
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CommentA mixed approach and better project management are key to hitting housing targets
Neither traditional construction nor modern methods of construction should be heralded over the other in housing, instead a diverse approach is needed to build resilience, argues Professor Adam Boddison and Phil Cox
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CommentEncouraging colleagues to share experiences can help drive for inclusivity
On International Women’s Day, Savinder Bhamra of Abri argues inclusivity should not be a one-off project but a permanent duty woven into all we do, with ‘allyship’ having a huge role to play.
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CommentThe end of the planning bill is nigh – but what does it mean for housing development?
The widely expected dropping of the government’s planning legislation will make it harder to build 300,000 homes a year, warns Colin Brown
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CommentGetting regulation wrong has consequences
Regulation is crucial for society’s safety, but it needs to be clear, consistent and targeted, argues David Orr
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CommentThe government’s plan for tackling fuel poverty is short-sighted
We have the coldest and leakiest homes in Europe, but the long-term solutions have been known for decades, writes Chris Brown
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CommentGove’s cladding remediation fund: what are the rights of housebuilders now?
Construction lawyer Martha Mordecai explains where Gove’s proposed cladding fund legislation leaves housebuilders legally
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CommentThe latest housing delivery test figures show our planning system isn’t working
Annual government figures showing homes delivered by local authority reveal some of the key barriers to delivery and it is time for change, argues Paul Smith
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CommentIt should not be so hard to build quality, affordable homes
Working together and applying basic principles can help us improve development, even when using old-fashioned build methods, writes Ben Derbyshire
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CommentCaution is needed when procuring bricks in a difficult environment
Low brick levels may make finding bricks more difficult, but housebuilders must ensure their bricks are ethically sourced, writes Keith Aldis, of the Brick Development Association
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CommentWe need a new ‘fit for purpose’ procurement process
Procurement is often too process-driven and costly, its time for a new approach, argues Richard Jones
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CommentOn levelling up, ministers must not ignore London or the need for investment
The ‘postcode lottery’ language of the levelling up white paper is divisive, writes former head of the civil service Lord Bob Kerslake
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CommentGove’s building safety measures are positive but more clarity is needed
The housing secretary’s package of proposals on building safety are significant but many questions remain, writes Paul Hackett
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CommentLet’s try and stick with a housing minister for enough time to effect change
if the government was serious about housing it would resist the temptation to keep chopping and changing who is in the ministerial role, argues Paul Smith
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CommentHow water neutrality is disrupting development in some parts of the country
Concern over water usage is prompting some councils to halt their plan-making but their eventual solutions could be beneficial across the country, says Philip Allin
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CommentWhy the levelling up paper might turn out to be significant, despite lack of detail
Former senior civil servant and housing boss Matthew Bailes finds echoes of the past in Michael Gove’s levelling up vision