I wish it was that simple but it's not. Unlike most contributors, I work in this industry. I buy development land and try to get planning consent for a living. I've done so for over 20 years. Do you know how many times local people have said to me at the public exhibition "Yes, great design, we love it, build here, we'll support you" ?

ZERO. No-one has ever said it. One or two companies in my past were smaller niche builders who built high quality homes, but it makes no difference. People cite design as a reason for resistance (and the PLCs are often serious offenders in this regard) but that's just the fig-leaf for mindless knee-jerk opposition.

If you really want to improve design, grant more planning consent and give people real choice. Do you imagine people would buy some of these identikit boxes if there was a choice? The market can solve the issue of quality in a way regulation never can. Hard to believe I need to explain this to people who claim to be Conservative.

CINO.