The planning question

摘要

More houses are being built but the build rate is still too low. That is the consensus, if not the unanimous view, across the industry and political spheres. Recent reports from those at the sharp end point to a common solution - SMEs and small sites -and a common underlying solution of planning. It is not all about materials, skills or construction methods. Market forces will resolve these. Those in political spheres should focus on those aspects that only they can resolve - such as planning, red tape and access to finance - and avoid getting involved in how we build.