Radio 4 – My Name is Immie
The Housing Crisis - why no planning permission is needed to rent rooms in an office block. We often hear that there is a national housing crisis, but don't always understand what that means. Immie, who is just 22, has made over 80 freedom of information requests to find out how many people are being temporarily housed in office blocks. She discovers that it is perfectly legal to do this -...
Hereford Civic Society Event 16th April
HCLT is pleased to pass on this invitation from Hereford Civic Society to hear Vicki Tomlinson, Director of Development at Connexus, will talk on; The Provision of Social Housing – from Thatcher to Today With many councils now considering building their own properties to rent, Vicki Tomlinson will follow the changing face of social housing. From introduction of the Right to Buy in 1980, the...
Living with Beauty – a report by the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission
Q: Living with Beauty, what’s that all about? A: It’s a report by the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission Q: Who? A: A UK Government appointed commission whose objectives are 1) promote better design; 2) find out how new development can meet community needs and; 3) make the planning process support better design Q: Sounds good, where can I get a copy? A: UK Gov website:...
Footnote to Review of Municipal Dreams
As a footnote to the review of Municipal Dreams – The Rise and Fall of Council Housing by John Boughton, please see link to Guardian article from October 2019 https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/28/meet-the-councils-quietly-building-a-housing-revolution. The article highlights the revival of council house building that Boughton referred to and gives details of attractive...
Information and Training Session on Tuesday 28th January
HCLT were guests of Connexus for an Information and Training Session held on 28th January. The meeting was exceptionally well attended with 28 participants who heard presentations from three speakers. Simon Withers, Development Manager responsible for a team that oversees the planning and development of Hereford gave a presentation on the planning process. He talked through the 3 layers...
Book Review: Municipal Dreams – The Rise and Fall of Council Housing
Book Review: Municipal Dreams – The Rise and Fall of Council Housing. * John Boughton provides a comprehensive but readable history of council housing in Britain (although the focus is on England) from its origins in the Fabian socialism of the newly formed London County Council of 1890’s to the present day. In doing so he charts the major factors that have influenced society’s views on council...
Poorly planned estates are still being built
The worst new estates lack nearby amenities such as shops, pubs and cafes. They are unconnected to surrounding areas, with few public transport links. They lack enough green spaces and playgrounds. They do little to encourage cycling and walking. The architecture is standardised and undistinctive, with affordable housing sometimes concentrated in particular areas, rather than mixed in with...
Our Current Housing Model is Dysfunctional – The Economist Magazine
The Economist, dated 16th January considers the West’s obsession with home ownership, and the consequences of policies that promote owner-occupation over renting. It says, “Dysfunctional housing markets prevent vibrant cities from growing, as high prices make it hard for workers to move to where the most productive jobs are. The soaring cost of housing has created gaping inequalities and...
Why sustainable can also mean affordable
Architecture's top UK prize awarded to a council housing development in Norwich Social housing scheme Goldsmith Street in Norwich has been named the winner of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize 2019, in a ceremony at London’s Roundhouse. The estate, designed by Mikhail Riches, was described by the RIBA President as "a beacon of hope".Goldsmith Street is...
What is Co-Housing?
In December 2019, HCCLH - the umbrella organisation for all Community Land Trusts in Herefordshire, hosted a visit to Canon Frome Co-Housing Project. For those who couldn't make it, here's an interesting video on a co-housing project in London https://vimeo.com/246241053