Councillor, why build more houses? The KING says so!
And if you don’t the King will send you off to the Tower of London… Well, almost… (I have just really always wanted to say that, so indulge me).
I of course refer to the most extraordinary event this week where his Majesty joined Sir Keir and our Angie at a housing development in Cornwall. It is probably the most significant and symbolic display of unity between the Monarch and a Government on a single issue that we have seen, other than at the time of national tragedy or remembrance of those tragedies. And it is entirely appropriate because the abysmal failure to provide enough and affordable homes for two generations now, is nothing short of a national tragedy.
Monday's trip to Cornwall was described as a "joint initiative" between the King and prime minister, following discussions between them on their shared interest in housing. The King had highlighted his own housing development and had offered to show around Sir Keir and Angela.
The development at Nansledan, near Newquay, was launched in 2014 as a "human-scale" housing development that drew on the King's environmental principles, providing green spaces, using local materials and training people in building skills. So far there are 840 houses built out of an intended 3,700 (There you have it, 3,700 homes is HUMAN SCALE!).
Angela Rayner was interviewed this weekend, said she was determined to achieve the promise of an extra 1.5 million homes. "There are no excuses to not build those homes that people desperately need… And we mean business on this, because far too many people are not getting these homes."
The other interesting element highlighted by this Royal Visit is the importance of teaching skills, on display at Nansledan. Many of us in the construction industry has warned that housebuilding targets will be blocked by a lack of staff. Yes, there is a skills shortage, an ageing workforce and Brexit all contributed to the shrinking pool of construction workers. But as this Royal development shows, we can train people up. Bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, plumbers, electricians all earn a very good living and I am sure many of you reading this probably now look at your expensive “ology” degree and wonder if you wouldn’t have been better off as a construction worker! I know I do!
But back to the Royal visit. The housing crisis transcends politics, this is about making sure that future generations have somewhere to call home and at the same time it is a major economic driver. The jobs that it creates, the inward investment, the schools, shops and pubs it keeps going… this is before we get to the environmental benefits and the affordable homes it provides to key workers and the two lost generations trapped in expensive rented accommodation or worse, in mum’s spare room.
You have a duty as a Councillor, you have to go beyond welcoming development, you need to actively promote it! Just listen to the King!
Until next week,
Henry