Sam Dumitriu
@samdumitriu.bsky.social
Head of Policy at Britain Remade.
thread
Would you say a 9,054-page planning application for an office block and some flats is:
A) Too long
B) About right
C) Not long enough
If you answered C, congratulations! You could work at Hackney Council.
A) Too long
B) About right
C) Not long enough
If you answered C, congratulations! You could work at Hackney Council.
February 4, 2026 at 1:15 PM
thread
Reposted by Sam Dumitriu
Would you say a 9,054-page planning application for an office block and some flats is:
A) Too long
B) About right
C) Not long enough
If you answered C, congratulations! You could work at Hackney Council.
A) Too long
B) About right
C) Not long enough
If you answered C, congratulations! You could work at Hackney Council.
February 4, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Would you say a 9,054-page planning application for an office block and some flats is:
A) Too long
B) About right
C) Not long enough
If you answered C, congratulations! You could work at Hackney Council.
A) Too long
B) About right
C) Not long enough
If you answered C, congratulations! You could work at Hackney Council.
This is a must-read.
A forensic analysis of a planning application (and a report from planners recommending its refused).
Kafkaesque is over-used, but it is the perfect description of the process so far for the extremely popular Shoreditch Works scheme.
A forensic analysis of a planning application (and a report from planners recommending its refused).
Kafkaesque is over-used, but it is the perfect description of the process so far for the extremely popular Shoreditch Works scheme.
Anatomy of a Planning Refusal
When 7,500 pages isn’t enough detail
www.samdumitriu.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:06 AM
This is a must-read.
A forensic analysis of a planning application (and a report from planners recommending its refused).
Kafkaesque is over-used, but it is the perfect description of the process so far for the extremely popular Shoreditch Works scheme.
A forensic analysis of a planning application (and a report from planners recommending its refused).
Kafkaesque is over-used, but it is the perfect description of the process so far for the extremely popular Shoreditch Works scheme.
Reposted by Sam Dumitriu
One of the big problems for marketeers such as myself is that people absolutely hate prices being used to indicate scarcity. Rent controls are exactly the same as calls for constraints on TicketMaster: requests to move towards a system of queuing for scarce products rather than money.
"The price just doesn't matter if you can't get a home".
Good write up here of the problems of trying to use rent controls to force down private rents.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Good write up here of the problems of trying to use rent controls to force down private rents.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rent controls are coming to the UK - but they're not a guaranteed win for tenants
Rent controls are coming to the UK - but they're not a guaranteed win for tenants
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 7:39 AM
One of the big problems for marketeers such as myself is that people absolutely hate prices being used to indicate scarcity. Rent controls are exactly the same as calls for constraints on TicketMaster: requests to move towards a system of queuing for scarce products rather than money.
Britain is a very centralised country. Britain is also a very expensive place to build new infrastructure.
Are these two facts linked? @alonlevy.bsky.social, one of the world’s top experts on infrastructure costs doesn’t think so. Here’s why I disagree.
open.substack.com/pub/samdumit...
Are these two facts linked? @alonlevy.bsky.social, one of the world’s top experts on infrastructure costs doesn’t think so. Here’s why I disagree.
open.substack.com/pub/samdumit...
Is centralisation to blame for Britain's high construction costs?
A response to Alon Levy of Transit Costs Project
open.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Britain is a very centralised country. Britain is also a very expensive place to build new infrastructure.
Are these two facts linked? @alonlevy.bsky.social, one of the world’s top experts on infrastructure costs doesn’t think so. Here’s why I disagree.
open.substack.com/pub/samdumit...
Are these two facts linked? @alonlevy.bsky.social, one of the world’s top experts on infrastructure costs doesn’t think so. Here’s why I disagree.
open.substack.com/pub/samdumit...
Reposted by Sam Dumitriu
NEW: 45 leading figures from academia, business and politics tell Ed Miliband "Don't U-turn" on the commitment to implement every recommendation of the Fingleton Nuclear Regulatory Review.
Full letter below.
Full letter below.
February 2, 2026 at 12:03 PM
NEW: 45 leading figures from academia, business and politics tell Ed Miliband "Don't U-turn" on the commitment to implement every recommendation of the Fingleton Nuclear Regulatory Review.
Full letter below.
Full letter below.
Is it me or is this really egregious?
Green NGOs have published a briefing claiming that the Fingleton Review into nuclear regulation made up a key case study.
The only problem is they didn't. And it isn't hard to check.
Green NGOs have published a briefing claiming that the Fingleton Review into nuclear regulation made up a key case study.
The only problem is they didn't. And it isn't hard to check.
January 26, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Is it me or is this really egregious?
Green NGOs have published a briefing claiming that the Fingleton Review into nuclear regulation made up a key case study.
The only problem is they didn't. And it isn't hard to check.
Green NGOs have published a briefing claiming that the Fingleton Review into nuclear regulation made up a key case study.
The only problem is they didn't. And it isn't hard to check.
The Wildlife Trusts have published a briefing claiming that the Fingleton Review's into nuclear regulation was 'flawed' in its use of evidence.
I've read their briefing. And frankly it's laughable. Full of errors and in some cases, outright misleading.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/in-defence...
I've read their briefing. And frankly it's laughable. Full of errors and in some cases, outright misleading.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/in-defence...
In defence of the Fingleton Review
Nature NGOs warn it could turn ‘a nature crisis into a catastrophe’. They’re wrong.
www.samdumitriu.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:44 PM
The Wildlife Trusts have published a briefing claiming that the Fingleton Review's into nuclear regulation was 'flawed' in its use of evidence.
I've read their briefing. And frankly it's laughable. Full of errors and in some cases, outright misleading.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/in-defence...
I've read their briefing. And frankly it's laughable. Full of errors and in some cases, outright misleading.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/in-defence...
"HS2's £100m bat tunnel isn't a waste of money" argues HS2 Ltd's top ecologist.
His argument: There was "no better solution that met species protection law and reduced cost."
I'd argue he has completely missed the point. (1/2)
His argument: There was "no better solution that met species protection law and reduced cost."
I'd argue he has completely missed the point. (1/2)
January 21, 2026 at 12:56 PM
"HS2's £100m bat tunnel isn't a waste of money" argues HS2 Ltd's top ecologist.
His argument: There was "no better solution that met species protection law and reduced cost."
I'd argue he has completely missed the point. (1/2)
His argument: There was "no better solution that met species protection law and reduced cost."
I'd argue he has completely missed the point. (1/2)
Is offshore wind really 40% cheaper than gas?
Sort of, but we need to be clear that the high cost of gas is, in part, a policy choice driven by carbon pricing and lower-capacity factors.
My latest attempt to inject some nuance into the energy debate.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/is-offshor...
Sort of, but we need to be clear that the high cost of gas is, in part, a policy choice driven by carbon pricing and lower-capacity factors.
My latest attempt to inject some nuance into the energy debate.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/is-offshor...
Is offshore wind really 40% cheaper than gas?
We need a better energy debate
www.samdumitriu.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Is offshore wind really 40% cheaper than gas?
Sort of, but we need to be clear that the high cost of gas is, in part, a policy choice driven by carbon pricing and lower-capacity factors.
My latest attempt to inject some nuance into the energy debate.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/is-offshor...
Sort of, but we need to be clear that the high cost of gas is, in part, a policy choice driven by carbon pricing and lower-capacity factors.
My latest attempt to inject some nuance into the energy debate.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/is-offshor...
My instinct is, when evaluating a politician, the public indexes less on policy and more on character.
It can be hard for the extremely ambitious people in Westminister to grasp, but in the real world loyalty to friends and colleagues comes first.
It can be hard for the extremely ambitious people in Westminister to grasp, but in the real world loyalty to friends and colleagues comes first.
January 16, 2026 at 10:40 AM
My instinct is, when evaluating a politician, the public indexes less on policy and more on character.
It can be hard for the extremely ambitious people in Westminister to grasp, but in the real world loyalty to friends and colleagues comes first.
It can be hard for the extremely ambitious people in Westminister to grasp, but in the real world loyalty to friends and colleagues comes first.
NEW: Britain's latest CfD auction secured a record 8.4GW of wind capacity.
New projects will be awarded 20-year fixed-price contracts at £91 per MWh. The highest price 2015.
Why has wind power got more expensive and what will it mean for bills?
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britains-l...
New projects will be awarded 20-year fixed-price contracts at £91 per MWh. The highest price 2015.
Why has wind power got more expensive and what will it mean for bills?
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britains-l...
Britain’s latest renewables auction locks in higher prices.
Britain just bought 8.4GW of wind power. Expect bills to go up.
www.samdumitriu.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:21 AM
NEW: Britain's latest CfD auction secured a record 8.4GW of wind capacity.
New projects will be awarded 20-year fixed-price contracts at £91 per MWh. The highest price 2015.
Why has wind power got more expensive and what will it mean for bills?
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britains-l...
New projects will be awarded 20-year fixed-price contracts at £91 per MWh. The highest price 2015.
Why has wind power got more expensive and what will it mean for bills?
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britains-l...
It is more expensive to build on previously-developed land than greenfield. A new tax on housebuilding (Building Safety Levy) was meant to have a lower rate for it.
One problem: the discount is defined in a way that rules out almost all brownfield sites.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/the-buildi...
One problem: the discount is defined in a way that rules out almost all brownfield sites.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/the-buildi...
The Building Safety Levy is broken
Badly drafted regulations will make building on brownfield much harder
www.samdumitriu.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:02 PM
It is more expensive to build on previously-developed land than greenfield. A new tax on housebuilding (Building Safety Levy) was meant to have a lower rate for it.
One problem: the discount is defined in a way that rules out almost all brownfield sites.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/the-buildi...
One problem: the discount is defined in a way that rules out almost all brownfield sites.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/the-buildi...
New: Britain can't decarbonise quickly without buying a lot of Chinese tech.
What are the risks of becoming dependent on China for solar panels, batteries, and EVs?
Britain Remade's China expert Michael Hill explains what we should and shouldn't worry about.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/how-worrie...
What are the risks of becoming dependent on China for solar panels, batteries, and EVs?
Britain Remade's China expert Michael Hill explains what we should and shouldn't worry about.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/how-worrie...
How worried should we be about our reliance on China for Net Zero?
The risky business of energy security
www.samdumitriu.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:07 AM
New: Britain can't decarbonise quickly without buying a lot of Chinese tech.
What are the risks of becoming dependent on China for solar panels, batteries, and EVs?
Britain Remade's China expert Michael Hill explains what we should and shouldn't worry about.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/how-worrie...
What are the risks of becoming dependent on China for solar panels, batteries, and EVs?
Britain Remade's China expert Michael Hill explains what we should and shouldn't worry about.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/how-worrie...
From solar panels to EVs, China dominates green supply chains.
So how did they get there?
@britainremade.bsky.social's Michael Hill explains that it wasn't some grand strategy, but applying the East Asian industrial model to 1.4bn people.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/why-china-...
So how did they get there?
@britainremade.bsky.social's Michael Hill explains that it wasn't some grand strategy, but applying the East Asian industrial model to 1.4bn people.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/why-china-...
Why China Dominates Green Supply Chains
They are not geniuses, evil or otherwise.
www.samdumitriu.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:18 AM
From solar panels to EVs, China dominates green supply chains.
So how did they get there?
@britainremade.bsky.social's Michael Hill explains that it wasn't some grand strategy, but applying the East Asian industrial model to 1.4bn people.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/why-china-...
So how did they get there?
@britainremade.bsky.social's Michael Hill explains that it wasn't some grand strategy, but applying the East Asian industrial model to 1.4bn people.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/why-china-...
Prediction: Madrid will have better outcomes (when you adjust for economic growth) but the conclusion from the author will be that Barcelona's reforms were 'watered down' and didn't go far enough.
Which model of housing will increase affordability? Madrid (market-led, "abundance") or Barcelona (state-regulated, scarcity).
You need both of course. In the case of the UK, I would be inclined to bet on a strategic state managing/sitting alongside the market.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
You need both of course. In the case of the UK, I would be inclined to bet on a strategic state managing/sitting alongside the market.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Barcelona and Madrid have very different ideas on tackling Spain’s housing crisis. Which will succeed? | Jaime Palomera
While the country’s capital is loosening regulations, the Catalan city is strengthening social housing. Their outcomes will affect all our futures, says author and researcher Jaime Palomera
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Prediction: Madrid will have better outcomes (when you adjust for economic growth) but the conclusion from the author will be that Barcelona's reforms were 'watered down' and didn't go far enough.
Thread: How reliant are the UK’s Net Zero plans on Chinese goods?
Here are some stats taken from @britainremade.bsky.social's Michael Hill.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/can-we-ach...
Here are some stats taken from @britainremade.bsky.social's Michael Hill.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/can-we-ach...
December 23, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Thread: How reliant are the UK’s Net Zero plans on Chinese goods?
Here are some stats taken from @britainremade.bsky.social's Michael Hill.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/can-we-ach...
Here are some stats taken from @britainremade.bsky.social's Michael Hill.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/can-we-ach...
Can Britain get to Net Zero without China?
In the short-term, almost certainly not.
China dominates the supply chains for wind, solar, batteries, and EVs.
Super inisghtful post from my colleague Michael Hill
www.samdumitriu.com/p/can-we-ach...
In the short-term, almost certainly not.
China dominates the supply chains for wind, solar, batteries, and EVs.
Super inisghtful post from my colleague Michael Hill
www.samdumitriu.com/p/can-we-ach...
Can we achieve Net Zero without China?
Not any time soon
www.samdumitriu.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Can Britain get to Net Zero without China?
In the short-term, almost certainly not.
China dominates the supply chains for wind, solar, batteries, and EVs.
Super inisghtful post from my colleague Michael Hill
www.samdumitriu.com/p/can-we-ach...
In the short-term, almost certainly not.
China dominates the supply chains for wind, solar, batteries, and EVs.
Super inisghtful post from my colleague Michael Hill
www.samdumitriu.com/p/can-we-ach...
NEW: Labour just announced the biggest change in planning policy in 80 years.
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
Labour are finally taking the housing shortage seriously
Is the new National Planning Policy Framework Labour’s biggest pro-growth move?
www.samdumitriu.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
NEW: Labour just announced the biggest change in planning policy in 80 years.
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
Britain can't reach Net Zero without Chinese supply chains.
What are the risks and what should we do about them?
This, from my colleague Michael Hill, is the best thing I've read on Britain's reliance on China to reach Net Zero.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/china-the-...
What are the risks and what should we do about them?
This, from my colleague Michael Hill, is the best thing I've read on Britain's reliance on China to reach Net Zero.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/china-the-...
China, the UK and Net Zero
Relying on a rival
www.samdumitriu.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Britain can't reach Net Zero without Chinese supply chains.
What are the risks and what should we do about them?
This, from my colleague Michael Hill, is the best thing I've read on Britain's reliance on China to reach Net Zero.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/china-the-...
What are the risks and what should we do about them?
This, from my colleague Michael Hill, is the best thing I've read on Britain's reliance on China to reach Net Zero.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/china-the-...
Labour spent ages arguing that the railways should be nationalised.
They appear not to have spent much time figuring out what we can learn from the best nationalised systems.
catchingmice.substack.com/cp/180687006
They appear not to have spent much time figuring out what we can learn from the best nationalised systems.
catchingmice.substack.com/cp/180687006
We’re getting worried about Great British Railways
Nationalisation can work, but the Government isn’t doing it right
catchingmice.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Labour spent ages arguing that the railways should be nationalised.
They appear not to have spent much time figuring out what we can learn from the best nationalised systems.
catchingmice.substack.com/cp/180687006
They appear not to have spent much time figuring out what we can learn from the best nationalised systems.
catchingmice.substack.com/cp/180687006
This is a vital report.
Whether or not the Government accept it in full, is a test of whether they are serious about growth.
Whether or not the Government accept it in full, is a test of whether they are serious about growth.
The findings of the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce lay bare the litany of regulations that make Britain the most expensive place in the world to build nuclear power stations. 1/4
November 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
This is a vital report.
Whether or not the Government accept it in full, is a test of whether they are serious about growth.
Whether or not the Government accept it in full, is a test of whether they are serious about growth.
Reposted by Sam Dumitriu
The findings of the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce lay bare the litany of regulations that make Britain the most expensive place in the world to build nuclear power stations. 1/4
November 24, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The findings of the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce lay bare the litany of regulations that make Britain the most expensive place in the world to build nuclear power stations. 1/4
Hinkley Point C is set to be the most expensive nuclear plant ever built.
The numbers below reveal they spent £700m on fish protection.
Based on the latest estimates that’s £280,000 per fish.
The numbers below reveal they spent £700m on fish protection.
Based on the latest estimates that’s £280,000 per fish.
November 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Hinkley Point C is set to be the most expensive nuclear plant ever built.
The numbers below reveal they spent £700m on fish protection.
Based on the latest estimates that’s £280,000 per fish.
The numbers below reveal they spent £700m on fish protection.
Based on the latest estimates that’s £280,000 per fish.
This is rhetorically the most pro-building govt ever, but housebuilding has ground to a halt and Heathrow still expect their planning app to cost £800m to produce.
The problem is there's a massive gap between what Labour say they want and what they're doing.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/rhetoric-v...
The problem is there's a massive gap between what Labour say they want and what they're doing.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/rhetoric-v...
Rhetoric vs. Reality
Slogans won’t get Britain building again
www.samdumitriu.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:45 PM
This is rhetorically the most pro-building govt ever, but housebuilding has ground to a halt and Heathrow still expect their planning app to cost £800m to produce.
The problem is there's a massive gap between what Labour say they want and what they're doing.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/rhetoric-v...
The problem is there's a massive gap between what Labour say they want and what they're doing.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/rhetoric-v...