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Labour can unlock £70bn from the planning system and build new homes. Here in Derbyshire, some can’t wait to get startedWhen Keir Starmer promises that his new government will “bulldoze” through the planning system as “the builders not the blockers”, there is bound to be opposition from noisy nimbys – but not from planners keen for “change”.By nature idealists, planners talk of improving lives and environments, enthused by Labour’s promised new towns. Conservatives traditionally view them with loathing, seeing them as anti-free-market, socialist control demons. The very concept of planning sends shivers down their spines – until they want them to oppose development in their nimby shires. Ordinary citizens resent them either for stopping something – juliet balconies are a current vogue – or for permitting something, like the next-door juliet balcony overlooking their garden. People want housing and green electricity, but over there, not here. “Bulldozing” the system will clash with Labour’s devolution pledge: “change” rightly means removing some decisions from England’s 370-odd planning authorities.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading…
Labour can unlock £70bn from the planning system and build new homes. Here in Derbyshire, some can’t wait to get started
When Keir Starmer promises that his new government will “bulldoze” through the planning system as “the builders not the blockers”, there is bound to be opposition from noisy nimbys – but not from planners keen for “change”.
By nature idealists, planners talk of improving lives and environments, enthused by Labour’s promised new towns. Conservatives traditionally view them with loathing, seeing them as anti-free-market, socialist control demons. The very concept of planning sends shivers down their spines – until they want them to oppose development in their nimby shires. Ordinary citizens resent them either for stopping something – juliet balconies are a current vogue – or for permitting something, like the next-door juliet balcony overlooking their garden. People want housing and green electricity, but over there, not here. “Bulldozing” the system will clash with Labour’s devolution pledge: “change” rightly means removing some decisions from England’s 370-odd planning authorities.
Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist
