I keep hearing "these new apartments are expensive, so they won't improve affordability". This is wrong. New supply reduces the price of existing dwellings, as in any market. The price of the new units makes little difference. 1/6

VERY

When we allow more building, lower-income renters and the homeless are primary beneficiaries. Even when the housing being built is “luxury high-rise”. Abelson’s headline (which he presumably did not write) is clearly contradicted by many robust studies. 3/4

Some will blame Treasury for not denying it, some the sloppy Lobby hacks who printed the story in the first place. Either way, it's a pain in the arse for anyone trying to buy or sell this Autumn & for those who own or rent a home. 😡 thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar…

Priveleged to be with elite of UK housebuilding last Thursday to celebrate the incredible career of Steven Boyes. And to give him my thanks for his inspirational support over many years. GIANT.

The inevitable effect of abolishing housing targets in the Dec 23 NPPF Expect an upturn as impacts of Dec 24 NPPF take hold - reintroducing targets, stronger Presumption and Grey Belt.

September 1971, Johnny, June and John Carter explore Glasgow during Johnny’s international tour.

Interesting stuff here. The Chancellor was saying similar things at the start of the year when she mentioned "zoning" around stations - promising to hear that this approach to planning reform is still an area of focus for economic policy

Something we don't talk about enough in housing is what will happen when a generation of renters start to retire. The private rented sector is not set up for old age: standard.co.uk/homesandproper…

The Great Fire of Newcastle and Gateshead began on this day 1854, leading to 53 deaths and hundreds injured. At least 800 homes and businesses were lost Caused by explosion at a worsted yarn factory owned by Wilson and Sons in Hillgate, Gateshead. (Pic: Illustrated London News.)

Have worked with and admired Savills for many years so an absolute privilege to be joining them in an advisory role. Can’t wait to start collaborating with their best-in-class Research, Planning and Development teams.

Wow

Really enjoyed presenting to ⁦RICS⁩ National Planning and Development conference today. The aim was to give a housebuilder + ⁦Savills⁩ perspective on New Town delivery.

Plug for new blogpost on National Development Management Policies. Why? Because they coul;d be gamechanging for housing supply - so long as they are drafted positively. If not………. philipbarnesblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/08/nat…

When I was life sciences minister, I would meet with companies keen to invest in UK companies and jobs, to ask them how government could help. Every single time, they said “planning”. Every. Single. Time. Visas. Grants. Licensing. Regulation. NICE. MHRA. EMA. EU. They were

Looking for an easy way to accelerate housing supply, with a housing product in huge demand, absent the affordability problems crippling FTBs, and at zero cost to Government??Read new blog on BUILD BUNGALOWS BABY philipbarnesblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/bui…

I joked a few months ago about becoming a one-issue voter and that issue being that we need to increase the supply of housing. I am not longer joking. That is the major issue of our time.

A question mark hangs over the government's pledge to deliver 1.5m homes by 2029 so it's rumoured that the chancellor will unveil a version of Help to Buy in the Budget. Which has turned the spotlight on housebuilders shares mol.im/a/15270325 via dailym.ai/android

Fantastic to see. National media speculation (hopefully confirmation) that modified H2B will return in the Budget. At last!!

I am quoted in the Guardian today on the inevitable rise of AI-powered services to help people fight against developments that they dislike. That will escalate the arms race against those working to apply AI to planning to get more built. Will AI help one side more than the