Project Speed, Boris Johnson’s new incentive to accelerate construction projects as the covid-19 pandemic abates, has not been welcomed with open arms by many in the architecture or planning community.

There are concerns that the move to extend permitted development (PD) rights and potentially waive certain environmental submissions for projects will lead inevitably to further low-quality housing and projects which disregard local community and vicinity, as has been seen under current PD.

As a professional businessperson, I welcome actions which will give the economy a much-needed boost after the country’s last three months of trauma. We need developers to advance their projects because it means they will hire architects. Builders will require drawings and specifications. Construction jobs, demand for materials – this will get the economy moving

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