All articles by Paul Smith
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CommentNew homes shouldn’t be responsible for policy failures elsewhere
Housing delivery should not be restricted because of a lack of planning, for instance around water, argues Paul Smith
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CommentHow the government’s ‘building beautiful’ theory will be put to the test in Kent
As the Duchy of Cornwall proposes a new 2,500-home Poundbury-style scheme in Kent, Paul Smith argues greater competition is the real key to improving housing design
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CommentThe housing crisis and its zombie myths that won’t go away
Interest rates driving house prices and landbanking by housebuilders are myths that persist, despite being debunked several times over, writes Paul Smith
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CommentMoney in the autumn statement was in short supply – but ministers do have tools now to boost development
Jeremy Hunt’s ‘autumn statement’ offered thin gruel for housing but there are reasons to be optimistic, writes Paul Smith
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CommentNutrients: sometimes it is okay to ignore those who oppose development
Those who complain about the government’s decision to tackle the nutrient neutrality impasse have not understood the issue in detail, writes Paul Smith
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CommentThe rough guide to housing supply - learning from planning policy abroad
Minneapolis, Auckland and Helsinki are just three cities that have boosted supply by loosening planning. Paul Smith argues we should learn from them.
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CommentGove’s simplification of plan-making won’t remove political barriers to development
The housing secretary this week announced proposals to make the local plan system more simple. However, Paul Smith argues the problems go beyond technical processes.
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CommentWe must apply common sense to the great British green belt
Misunderstandings about the green belt are leading to a stifling of productivity and economic growth, argues Paul Smith
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CommentMinisters must do more to provide certainty around planning
With planning consents at an all-time low government must make it easier for housebuilders to map out development, argues Paul Smith
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CommentThe Conservatives’ strategy to make it harder to build new homes is failing
The wranglings over housebuilding in the party represent a conflict between tradition and ambition, but there are signs of a fightback against the anti-development mindset, writes Paul Smith
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CommentWe are heading in the wrong direction on housing delivery
Working out how many homes we will need is tricky, but one thing’s for sure we are not going to build anywhere near enough under current policy, warns Paul Smith
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CommentPlanning overhaul will merely entrench the ‘no development’ status quo
The government’s proposed new national planning policy fails to provide for an adequate supply of homes and is a dereliction of duty, writes Paul Smith
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CommentWhen it comes to housing, who are the ‘anti-growth coalition’?
The truth is ensuring the planning system can deliver more new homes would be unpopular with large sections of the country but change is in our best interests, writes Paul Smith
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CommentScarcity is spreading through the economy - and it might boost housing supply
From lab and distribution space, to reservoirs and energy, we don’t seem to have enough of anything and this might give impetus to the planning reform we need to boost housing, argues Paul Smith
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CommentThe new PM must recognise housing is key infrastructure for growth
It is time to realise a lack of homes makes it harder for people to find somewhere to live close to labour markets, hitting the UK’s growth and productivity, writes Paul Smith
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CommentNew homes have been demonised for too long
We must not be afraid to advocate for the benefits of new homes, argues Paul Smith
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CommentThe rhetoric of planning reform has changed more than the substance
Michael Gove has artfully repositioned the government’s planning reforms, but more of his predecessor’s original vision remains then you might think, writes Paul Smith
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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 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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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