Metro Mayors: Does anybody really care?
This is the question candidates, agents and activists have been asking themselves as postal votes have started to trickle into the returning officers in Greater Manchester and Liverpool this week.
General Election 2017: What to expect next
With less than 50 days until a surprise General Election, here is my Top 10 of what we can expect over the coming weeks.
Budget 2017: Whatever happened to Northern Powerhouse Bingo?
Blink and you’ll have missed it. Not the ‘OmNicshambles’ of a National Insurance hike (despite a manifesto commitment to do no such thing). Not the extra money for social care. And certainly not Jeremy Corbyn’s tepid response. Rather, in marked contrast to his predecessor, the words ‘Northern Powerhouse just about managed to pass ‘Spreadsheet Phil’s’ […]
So long NIMBYs – hello YIMBYs?
The National Housing Federation recently released its report ‘Demise of the NIMBY: Changing attitudes to building new homes’ (which you can read here). Based on the British Social Attitudes Survey, the NHF’s report indicates a decline in NIMBYism (standing for ‘Not In My Back Yard‘) across all social and economic groups in the UK. Overall, […]
Gavin Barwell: A Minister on a mission?
The Minister of State for Housing & Planning, Gavin Barwell MP, could be forgiven for taking a few days off this week. Having embarked on a tour boldly entitled Fixing the Broken Housing Market last week, including seven ‘gigs’ in seven days; he may well need to rest his voice, gather his thoughts and double-down […]
And they’re off… a great start to the GM Mayoral campaign
On Friday I had the pleasure of spending my evening with the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates vying to become the first mayor of Greater Manchester.
Happy Housing White Paper Day
Finally, after endless delays and tantalising briefings to favoured journalists, Sajid Javid MP finally unveiled what he promised to be a ‘revolutionary’, ‘bold’ and ‘ambitious’ plan to fix the country’s broken housing market.
The North’s place at the Brexit table
There has been little mention of the role of English regions in Brexit negotiations and the big question is: will the North have a seat at the Brexit table?
What next for the GMSF?
I’m sure I could hear a collective sigh of relief from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority this week, when the consultation on the draft version of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework closed.
Friends of the Earth gets fractious
Communications is an important part of any company or campaign group’s strategy and when it goes wrong it can go really wrong.
Methods of engagement
Whether you are updating local neighbours or identifying supporters, engagement is key to a successful planning application.
Manchester innovation: is there a road to Graphene Valley?
Manchester is in an excellent position to attract the investment required for innovative technology sectors, but it will need to continue to push for transport infrastructure improvements.
Why you should engage with parish councils
With the increase of neighbourhood plans across the country, it is becoming more important to fully engage with parish and town councils to ensure a smooth planning process.
Feeling the heat on Green Belt release
Recent events underline the difficulty of finding the space to build new houses – or rather, in convincing people that suitable space should be used to provide the houses that we need.
Five reasons for public consultation
Sitting down to the table at Place Party 2016, the property professional to my left asked, “So what’s the point of public consultation?” It’s safe to say I was the last to finish my meal that night… but it’s a common question.
Supporter mobilisation: what can developers learn from the US elections?
In less than a week, the United States will have a new President and the most divisive election in recent history will have come to a close.
Local councillors and social media: a new age in consultation?
Remarkable Engagement has published its report on social media and the planning consultation process. The results make for integral reading for those in the property and development sectors.
Neighbourhood Planning Bill: Will it help or hinder the Government’s housing targets?
The Neighbourhood Planning Bill was announced last week and is currently in the process of working its way through Parliament.
Public land release: challenges and opportunities
Almost a year ago, then-Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis, proclaimed that the Government wanted to build one million new homes by 2020; an ambitious target - some would argue unrealistic, at current construction rates.
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Selected industry experts bring you insight and expert advice, across a range of sectors.
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