Barney Stringer
@barneystringer.bsky.social
Director at @QuodPlanning.bsky.social
Regeneration, housing, development, economics, demographics, cities, schools and community infrastructure
London
http://barneystringer.wordpress.com
Regeneration, housing, development, economics, demographics, cities, schools and community infrastructure
London
http://barneystringer.wordpress.com
Pinned
Newly updated and much enlarged UK Planning & Housing starter pack
Please share for new joiners in the sector. Starter packs are the easiest way to get going on Bluesky, allowing you to quickly follow a bunch of relevant people
And of course, let me know of any names that should be added
Please share for new joiners in the sector. Starter packs are the easiest way to get going on Bluesky, allowing you to quickly follow a bunch of relevant people
And of course, let me know of any names that should be added
Reposted by Barney Stringer
New appeal stats just dropped and they're 😮
Over the last quarter:
• 76% of public inquiries allowed
• 59% of hearings allowed
• 53% of appeals for more than 10 homes allowed
Those rates are all pretty much as high as they've ever been.
Data here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f78d...
Over the last quarter:
• 76% of public inquiries allowed
• 59% of hearings allowed
• 53% of appeals for more than 10 homes allowed
Those rates are all pretty much as high as they've ever been.
Data here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f78d...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
October 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
New appeal stats just dropped and they're 😮
Over the last quarter:
• 76% of public inquiries allowed
• 59% of hearings allowed
• 53% of appeals for more than 10 homes allowed
Those rates are all pretty much as high as they've ever been.
Data here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f78d...
Over the last quarter:
• 76% of public inquiries allowed
• 59% of hearings allowed
• 53% of appeals for more than 10 homes allowed
Those rates are all pretty much as high as they've ever been.
Data here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f78d...
Reposted by Barney Stringer
Yes, they are actually saying that a "foreigner" who has worked here for decades, paid National Insurance, & is entitled BECAUSE OF THAT to a state pension, would be deported for the crime of claiming it.
Via @sundersays.bsky.social the Conservatives' draft legislation - absolutely clear that it applies to (and is intended to apply to) legal permanent residents claiming state pension (on the basis of their contributions) or child benefit for British kids.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
October 22, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Yes, they are actually saying that a "foreigner" who has worked here for decades, paid National Insurance, & is entitled BECAUSE OF THAT to a state pension, would be deported for the crime of claiming it.
Terrifying that a “mainstream” party in the UK is proposing Idi Amin-style deportation of hundreds of thousands of our friends, neighbours, relatives, colleagues, NHS workers…
And terrifying too that it’s raised no more than a ripple in the media, and only weak criticism from the government
And terrifying too that it’s raised no more than a ripple in the media, and only weak criticism from the government
Tory policy is to revoke permanent residence (ILR) for everybody who does not earn £38k - deporting most nurses who have ILR
This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"
NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt
No govt since Idi Amin has done this
This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"
NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt
No govt since Idi Amin has done this
October 22, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Terrifying that a “mainstream” party in the UK is proposing Idi Amin-style deportation of hundreds of thousands of our friends, neighbours, relatives, colleagues, NHS workers…
And terrifying too that it’s raised no more than a ripple in the media, and only weak criticism from the government
And terrifying too that it’s raised no more than a ripple in the media, and only weak criticism from the government
Great news for Lewisham - Landsec’s redevelopment approved this week.
Rebuilt shopping centre, 1,700 new homes, new music venue and open space
Rebuilt shopping centre, 1,700 new homes, new music venue and open space
Lewisham: More than a place | Landsec
After a four-year process, Lewisham Council has resolved to grant planning permission for the phased redevelopment of the 1970s shopping centre in Lewisham.
Building on our 20-year history of investi...
www.linkedin.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Great news for Lewisham - Landsec’s redevelopment approved this week.
Rebuilt shopping centre, 1,700 new homes, new music venue and open space
Rebuilt shopping centre, 1,700 new homes, new music venue and open space
Reposted by Barney Stringer
The official data on productivity shows Britain's big cities have decoupled from the national economy. But while the big cities outside the capital are roaring ahead, London is stagnating.
But can we trust this data? Are our regional divides closing? Our new paper investigates:
But can we trust this data? Are our regional divides closing? Our new paper investigates:
October 16, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The official data on productivity shows Britain's big cities have decoupled from the national economy. But while the big cities outside the capital are roaring ahead, London is stagnating.
But can we trust this data? Are our regional divides closing? Our new paper investigates:
But can we trust this data? Are our regional divides closing? Our new paper investigates:
Now you don’t have to choose! Both of
@jonnelledge.bsky.social History of the World in 47 Borders, and
@lewisbaston.bsky.social
Borderlines: History of Europe in 29 Borders,
are 99p on Kindle at the moment. (Only 2.6p per border…)
@jonnelledge.bsky.social History of the World in 47 Borders, and
@lewisbaston.bsky.social
Borderlines: History of Europe in 29 Borders,
are 99p on Kindle at the moment. (Only 2.6p per border…)
October 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Now you don’t have to choose! Both of
@jonnelledge.bsky.social History of the World in 47 Borders, and
@lewisbaston.bsky.social
Borderlines: History of Europe in 29 Borders,
are 99p on Kindle at the moment. (Only 2.6p per border…)
@jonnelledge.bsky.social History of the World in 47 Borders, and
@lewisbaston.bsky.social
Borderlines: History of Europe in 29 Borders,
are 99p on Kindle at the moment. (Only 2.6p per border…)
Reposted by Barney Stringer
Govt response to New Towns Taskforce recommendations. The Taskforce’s 12 locations still being considered (“Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank looking particularly promising”). More by next Spring so watch this space or rather these various large spaces.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Initial government response - September 2025
www.gov.uk
September 28, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Govt response to New Towns Taskforce recommendations. The Taskforce’s 12 locations still being considered (“Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank looking particularly promising”). More by next Spring so watch this space or rather these various large spaces.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Barney Stringer
I’m immensely grateful to the New Towns Taskforce, under the expert leadership of its Chair, Sir Michael Lyons, and Deputy Chair, Dame Kate Barker, for producing such a considered and comprehensive set of final recommendations 👇🏻
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
New Towns Taskforce: Report to government
The government has published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report.
www.gov.uk
September 28, 2025 at 7:05 AM
I’m immensely grateful to the New Towns Taskforce, under the expert leadership of its Chair, Sir Michael Lyons, and Deputy Chair, Dame Kate Barker, for producing such a considered and comprehensive set of final recommendations 👇🏻
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
So impressive what Jim has achieved in the first year of London Centric. If you live here, you owe yourself a subscription
A little bit of navel-gazing on the last twelve months of trying to run a start-up local news organisation with no investment or plan, entirely funded by readers. www.londoncentric.media/p/london-new...
One year of London Centric
A selection of our favourite stories that you might have missed — and a quick note from Jim.
www.londoncentric.media
September 20, 2025 at 8:18 AM
So impressive what Jim has achieved in the first year of London Centric. If you live here, you owe yourself a subscription
London’s weather has had enough of flags it seems
September 16, 2025 at 8:34 PM
London’s weather has had enough of flags it seems
Tried Amazon’s “Prime Vision” football with live data overlays. Pretty interesting, but you definitely wouldn’t want it on a game you really cared about
September 16, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Tried Amazon’s “Prime Vision” football with live data overlays. Pretty interesting, but you definitely wouldn’t want it on a game you really cared about
Hopefully soon they’ll be drinking this instead:
August 21, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Hopefully soon they’ll be drinking this instead:
So THIS is what central government was using all these years whenever Leeds called asking for a metro system
August 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
So THIS is what central government was using all these years whenever Leeds called asking for a metro system
Next in this series of economics riders and qualifiers:
Dan Ariely, and the wider replication crisis
Dan Ariely, and the wider replication crisis
Doing an “economics book club” with son, as Uni prep, which has been fun
But find myself making a surprising number of “you do not gotta hand it to them” updates on people mentioned in older books
Reinhart-Rogoff, Carlos Ghosn, amongst others
But find myself making a surprising number of “you do not gotta hand it to them” updates on people mentioned in older books
Reinhart-Rogoff, Carlos Ghosn, amongst others
July 31, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Next in this series of economics riders and qualifiers:
Dan Ariely, and the wider replication crisis
Dan Ariely, and the wider replication crisis
Doing an “economics book club” with son, as Uni prep, which has been fun
But find myself making a surprising number of “you do not gotta hand it to them” updates on people mentioned in older books
Reinhart-Rogoff, Carlos Ghosn, amongst others
But find myself making a surprising number of “you do not gotta hand it to them” updates on people mentioned in older books
Reinhart-Rogoff, Carlos Ghosn, amongst others
July 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Doing an “economics book club” with son, as Uni prep, which has been fun
But find myself making a surprising number of “you do not gotta hand it to them” updates on people mentioned in older books
Reinhart-Rogoff, Carlos Ghosn, amongst others
But find myself making a surprising number of “you do not gotta hand it to them” updates on people mentioned in older books
Reinhart-Rogoff, Carlos Ghosn, amongst others
Reposted by Barney Stringer
It’s the vinyl countdown
July 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
It’s the vinyl countdown
Son has no idea how expensive a hobby he’s just acquired…
July 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Son has no idea how expensive a hobby he’s just acquired…
July 18, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Can anyone guess what this conveyor belt carries…
July 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Can anyone guess what this conveyor belt carries…
This is true and I’d add:
a) Peak aircon energy use maps relatively neatly onto peak solar energy production, so easier than winter heating to make green
b) Aircon units are ultra efficient heaters too, so easier first step to wean people off gas central heating, compared to air-to-water heat pump
a) Peak aircon energy use maps relatively neatly onto peak solar energy production, so easier than winter heating to make green
b) Aircon units are ultra efficient heaters too, so easier first step to wean people off gas central heating, compared to air-to-water heat pump
Air conditioning is an absolutely vital life-saving technology on a swiftly-warming planet, and people who claim it's somehow more shameful to cool a home than it is to heat one are idiots.
I wrote this a few years ago and still stand by it:
foreignpolicy.com/2022/01/16/c...
I wrote this a few years ago and still stand by it:
foreignpolicy.com/2022/01/16/c...
Climate Change Demands More Air Conditioning
An often-disparaged technology is a lifesaver, not a luxury.
foreignpolicy.com
June 23, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This is true and I’d add:
a) Peak aircon energy use maps relatively neatly onto peak solar energy production, so easier than winter heating to make green
b) Aircon units are ultra efficient heaters too, so easier first step to wean people off gas central heating, compared to air-to-water heat pump
a) Peak aircon energy use maps relatively neatly onto peak solar energy production, so easier than winter heating to make green
b) Aircon units are ultra efficient heaters too, so easier first step to wean people off gas central heating, compared to air-to-water heat pump
Looks like I got a write-in vote in the New York primaries! Only second preference though, probably not enough…
June 23, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Looks like I got a write-in vote in the New York primaries! Only second preference though, probably not enough…
First comprehensive catalogue launched for Gilbert Spencer (Stanley’s under-appreciated younger brother)
Thanks to the work of Prof Paul Gough, and Dr Amy Lim
Thanks to the work of Prof Paul Gough, and Dr Amy Lim
Gilbert Spencer RA – Catalogue Raisonné & Online Archive
A comprehensive online resource on Gilbert Spencer RA (1892–1979), English landscape painter and teacher. This independent catalogue and archive features his paintings, drawings, exhibitions, and biog...
gilbertspencercatalogue.org
June 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
First comprehensive catalogue launched for Gilbert Spencer (Stanley’s under-appreciated younger brother)
Thanks to the work of Prof Paul Gough, and Dr Amy Lim
Thanks to the work of Prof Paul Gough, and Dr Amy Lim
Depressing glimpse of the future today - wrong number phone call from a lettings agent, who only several exchanges in to the conversation told me they were an “automated assistant”
How long before every call starts with an awkward dance as you each try to work out if the other person is real?
How long before every call starts with an awkward dance as you each try to work out if the other person is real?
June 9, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Depressing glimpse of the future today - wrong number phone call from a lettings agent, who only several exchanges in to the conversation told me they were an “automated assistant”
How long before every call starts with an awkward dance as you each try to work out if the other person is real?
How long before every call starts with an awkward dance as you each try to work out if the other person is real?
Time to make some rendang
First step, a prodigious amount of spices
First step, a prodigious amount of spices
May 25, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Time to make some rendang
First step, a prodigious amount of spices
First step, a prodigious amount of spices
New Thames Water refinancing initiative just dropped:
They want to charge my mother-in-law £400 based on an estimated meter reading. They “estimate” (for no reason) that she has suddenly increased usage tenfold
So I read her meter and they actually owe her £200…
They want to charge my mother-in-law £400 based on an estimated meter reading. They “estimate” (for no reason) that she has suddenly increased usage tenfold
So I read her meter and they actually owe her £200…
May 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
New Thames Water refinancing initiative just dropped:
They want to charge my mother-in-law £400 based on an estimated meter reading. They “estimate” (for no reason) that she has suddenly increased usage tenfold
So I read her meter and they actually owe her £200…
They want to charge my mother-in-law £400 based on an estimated meter reading. They “estimate” (for no reason) that she has suddenly increased usage tenfold
So I read her meter and they actually owe her £200…