It might be worth adding the context that the Telegraph is very much aligned with the heavily right-leaning government, the owners throw their weight around editorially, and they have been...
It might be worth adding the context that the Telegraph is very much aligned with the heavily right-leaning government, the owners throw their weight around editorially, and they have been castigated for passing off advertorials paid for by foreign governments as news items.
My concern about this piece is potentially muddying the waters and deflecting from the almost omnipotence of the large housebuilders. The government has close links with the most powerful property developers and housebuilders, and indeed enacted direct subsidies to housebuilders under the guise of helping out first-time-buyers.
These companies, if they chose, could build beautiful, sturdy, spacious, well-planned, environmentally conscious and socially conscious developments, but that's generally not what happens, and they generally prefer that not to be the conversation.
Because they're all done up in the same brick shades - fiery red or dysentary brown - or else stucco. They all look so similar - just big, blocky things that you can hang ornaments from or plant a...
Because they're all done up in the same brick shades - fiery red or dysentary brown - or else stucco. They all look so similar - just big, blocky things that you can hang ornaments from or plant a little tree or two around, but that's it. That's not a whole lot you can do to personalize. I realize that development companies must want them up quick and cheap, but they are seriously lacking in imagination. The new homes that were put up in our town last year look soulless. They don't even have little front gardens or meaningful fences, just a little patch of grass that's barely worth mowing and those square wooden posts that are joined together at knee height. They're maybe 3 metres from the pavement and fairly busy roads. I don't think I've even see people living in most of them - since homes are largely unaffordable, they're probably just sitting empty and adding to the overall miasma of depression.
Zoom out and what you see is miles upon miles of almost identical buildings. I remember that every time I used to visit relatives in London on holiday, as the plane descended over the suburbs, I'd stare at those miles of red-brick little houses stretching toward the horizon and think, "This is what Hell looks like."
That Marmalade Lane is great. Happy for that lot. Shame we didn't get more involved in the planning stages and do more than just post the occasional social media comment or complain to our neighbours. It's hard to admit, but we probably share the blame for not getting more involved and putting in ideas or suggestions rather than just partaking in the age-old pastime of moaning. People need places to live. F*******ck, I was depressed last year, but I'm starting to consider getting more involved in my community somehow just out of sheer boredom.
Discusses what makes a housing estate a nice place to live, and what you can do to voice your opinion on new developments in your area. Personally, I think Marmalade Lane looks great! From what I...
We explore the architectural underpinnings of a happy neighbourhood, and how communities can ensure new developments suit their surroundings
Discusses what makes a housing estate a nice place to live, and what you can do to voice your opinion on new developments in your area.
Personally, I think Marmalade Lane looks great! From what I remember having looked at my local planning site a few months ago though, it seems needlessly difficult to navigate. I get why so few people engage with it.
It might be worth adding the context that the Telegraph is very much aligned with the heavily right-leaning government, the owners throw their weight around editorially, and they have been castigated for passing off advertorials paid for by foreign governments as news items.
My concern about this piece is potentially muddying the waters and deflecting from the almost omnipotence of the large housebuilders. The government has close links with the most powerful property developers and housebuilders, and indeed enacted direct subsidies to housebuilders under the guise of helping out first-time-buyers.
These companies, if they chose, could build beautiful, sturdy, spacious, well-planned, environmentally conscious and socially conscious developments, but that's generally not what happens, and they generally prefer that not to be the conversation.
Because they're all done up in the same brick shades - fiery red or dysentary brown - or else stucco. They all look so similar - just big, blocky things that you can hang ornaments from or plant a little tree or two around, but that's it. That's not a whole lot you can do to personalize. I realize that development companies must want them up quick and cheap, but they are seriously lacking in imagination. The new homes that were put up in our town last year look soulless. They don't even have little front gardens or meaningful fences, just a little patch of grass that's barely worth mowing and those square wooden posts that are joined together at knee height. They're maybe 3 metres from the pavement and fairly busy roads. I don't think I've even see people living in most of them - since homes are largely unaffordable, they're probably just sitting empty and adding to the overall miasma of depression.
Zoom out and what you see is miles upon miles of almost identical buildings. I remember that every time I used to visit relatives in London on holiday, as the plane descended over the suburbs, I'd stare at those miles of red-brick little houses stretching toward the horizon and think, "This is what Hell looks like."
That Marmalade Lane is great. Happy for that lot. Shame we didn't get more involved in the planning stages and do more than just post the occasional social media comment or complain to our neighbours. It's hard to admit, but we probably share the blame for not getting more involved and putting in ideas or suggestions rather than just partaking in the age-old pastime of moaning. People need places to live. F*******ck, I was depressed last year, but I'm starting to consider getting more involved in my community somehow just out of sheer boredom.
Discusses what makes a housing estate a nice place to live, and what you can do to voice your opinion on new developments in your area.
Personally, I think Marmalade Lane looks great! From what I remember having looked at my local planning site a few months ago though, it seems needlessly difficult to navigate. I get why so few people engage with it.
https://archive.is/xT3sz