The debate in parliament about the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill was like a greatest hits compilation of criticisms of developers. Accusations of land-banking, poor quality homes, putting profit before place and riding roughshod over local councils and local residents were all there. In his contributions, Michael Gove carefully positioned the bill as being designed to curb the worst of those excesses.

Gove has artfully re-positioned planning reform since taking over from Robert Jenrick as housing secretary.