In this episode of Urban Forecast, Oli sits down with Chris Worrall, Director at LSL Partners, for a frank and fast-paced conversation about the realities of the UK housing crisis. Chris dismantles common myths around land, planning and development, critiques the political narratives driving dysfunctional policy, and explains why supply, zoning and sensible regulation matter far more than ideology. From the failures of the building safety regulator to the economics behind the 1 percent housing trap, this episode offers one of the clearest explanations yet of what’s really holding back new homes in the UK, and what it would take to finally unlock growth, affordability and better living conditions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The UK housing debate is heavily influenced by rhetoric and theories not grounded in real-world development experience
Restrictive planning systems and anti-development sentiment are major drivers of the housing shortage, far more than developers themselves
Labour’s recent land value capture proposals amount to over-taxation that risks suppressing development rather than enabling it
The current building safety regulator is poorly designed compared with international examples and risks slowing delivery without improving outcomes
Political interference in planning decisions prevents a shift towards flexible zoning, mandated local plans and faster approvals
Low vacancy rates create the 1 percent housing trap where landlords have no incentive to upgrade or repair properties, worsening living conditions
London has huge untapped potential for densification, with plenty of land and the ability to build upwards if policy supported it
The UK’s approach to funding social housing is fundamentally flawed and fails to support long-term supply and quality
BEST MOMENTS
“There are so many so-called experts who’ve never valued land or built anything in their life. Most haven’t even built a sandcastle.”
“A Labour government think they can just tax things into oblivion.”
“We’ve got regulations that do not regulate more houses into existence
“There is enough land and the sky’s the limit in a lot of these places.”
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://www.ackroydlowrie.com
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Why London Stopped Building with Nick Cuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coDPAozDmoM
Reclaiming Value in Architecture with Hari Phillips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FosWeZqmWL8
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.
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