All articles by Paul Smith
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CommentNow is not the time to panic about low planning approvals
As poor statistics continue to roll in Reed and Pennycook must hold their nerve, stick to their plan and be patient, argues Paul Smith
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CommentHow we can find out what people really think about new homes
Councils should seek the views of a representative sample of the local population, rather than a minority with vested interests, argues Paul Smith
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CommentGovernment must be brutal in reducing planning burdens to help SMEs build
The government can’t meet its 1.5 million homes target without smaller housebuilders delivering. It should be bolder in reforming planning to help them do it, argues Paul Smith
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CommentWhy puddles are the latest in a long list of obstacles to building the homes we need
The planning system no longer recognises the difference between rivers and puddles and this must be fixed, says Paul Smith
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CommentAbolishing planning performance agreements? Templates for section 106? There are further opportunities to reform planning
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill offers a chance to look at how we can improve the planning application process further. Paul Smith gives his thoughts on some ways to do it
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CommentThe new government must allow developers to build upwards too
Keir Starmer’s government has made a good start now it must look at enabling liberal densification, writes 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