Family Planning

Planning in the UK is something that is decided on each application, takes 2 months from the letter of acknowledgment and forms what we allow or disallow and always has a long-term impact. Building Regulations are interpretive. The whole system is in dire need of overhauling, which, as we know, won’t happen. The fact that something is needed doesn’t mean it will happen, so expect more dithering, delay and obfuscation.

Whenever a large development is proposed many things have to be considered, infrastructure, shops, schools, pharmacies, places of worship and so on, this leads to further delay and invariably targets are missed. There is an argument that says targets should be avoided and that we should endeavour to complete houses to an acceptable standard. If you live in a property which is sub-standard, the stress can be unbearable, leading to poor health both physical and mental.

When you consider that the construction industry is short of 200,000 workers the drive for targets creates difficulties. If you value completion of a house over quality (snag free) you generate further problems that could be avoided by viewing things differently.

Doubtless you are not a major developer, but you might be in the process of buying a new house. You might consider taking me along to check that all is as it should be.