| Topic: | Re:Don't blame foreigners, developers, the government | |
| Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
| Date/Time: | 06/01/15 14:40:00 |
| Even doing the job I do I don't think the basic problem is a lack of new-build homes. As I've said before I don't think Joe Public realises the cost involved in major planning submissions these days, but nor do I think Joe Public is the problem either, and I don't think if developers didn't have a fight on their hands that would mean that there were more homes which could be accessible to all parts of the population. Land values have gone off the scale which in turn means developers now need to build upwards in order for schemes to be viable, except for on the rare occasions when a site is better suited to houses and the numbers add up too. But speaking personally let's not pretend that everyone wants to live 15 floors up in the sky with their front door accessed off a communal core. Where we live at Holland Gardens, the security of the development and having a 24h concierge are two big positives. Less positive is the lack of private garden space or decent storage space, and the under-provision of cycling parking facilities (which fortunately wouldn't be allowed under the current planning regime. But walk past most new flat developments and you'll see many balconies (the only private amenity space) crammed up of stuff because the occupiers haven't got anywhere else within the flat to keep it, and consequently no matter how aesthetically pleasing a building might have been designed it it soon looks like an eyesore because of all the stuff being stored on the balconies. For me, living in a flatted development was great in my late 20's and early 30's. But as your priorities in life change so does your ideal place to live - I also notice how many older couples now seem to move into flatted developments, maybe because of the peace of mind benefits of better security, 24h concierges etc. |