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Richard Hebditch

@richard.hebditch.org
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 5h
A good news story about HS2: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... (including first cattlegrids in Herts apparently, though I think there might be on some of the big landed estates already possibly)
theguardian.com
Wildlife arrives on time at rewilded chalk grasslands built along HS2 route
The trains may be running late, but the Western Slopes project is already attracting birds and insects on lands around the high-speed railway
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 9h
On the train back from Labour conference. Seemed like a smaller but jollier conference than last year. Mid-term conference probably means fewer businesses and NGOs & fall in membership means less delegates? Cabinet speeches are here: labour.org.uk/updates/stor...
labour.org.uk
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London TravelWatch @ldntravelwatch.bsky.social · 10h
We welcome this news. Dockless e-bikes often being carelessly dumped in the streets and blocking pavements causes a issues for pedestrians, particularly wheelchair users, people with buggies and those with visual impairments. Read our statement in full www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/news/london-...
londontravelwatch.org.uk
London TravelWatch statement - e-bike regulations - London TravelWatch
We welcome the announcement that London’s Mayor is laying out proposals for consistent standards for e-bike operators. E-bike hire schemes are important and useful to many Londoners, but the number of...
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 12h
Half a million trees to be planted in England in three years, says government www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Half a million trees to be planted in England in three years, says government
Exclusive: Environment secretary Angela Eagle to make pledge as part of efforts to protect against extreme weather
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 28/09/2026
Off to Liverpool (with the cheapskates on LNR rather than Avanti). Rather more relaxing...
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 27/09/2026
Good to see some action on empty homes. Number of empty homes has risen by over 50% since 2016 & some estimates put it over 1.2m, affecting most regions. (see www.actiononemptyhomes.org/the-last-dec...)
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 25/09/2026
Thank you LinkedIn but I'm really not
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 25/09/2026
Walked section 7 of the N Downs Way today. From the roar of the M2 over the Medway to more peaceful paths beyond.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 25/09/2026
How hot was this summer? Newt little postcode lookup from BBC www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Answer - pretty hot in SE London.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 24/09/2026
Latest housing supply stats out from MHCLG today. Completed housing numbers down but increase in the number of starts (but still quite a bit below govt target) www.gov.uk/government/s...
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 24/09/2026
Latest on developing an integrated development and land use plan in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs national park. In England, kept well apart with MHCLG owning planning policy & Defra the land use framework & ELMS (inc national parks). www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/planning/pla...
lochlomond-trossachs.org
Plotting a map to the future - our new Local Development and Land Use Plan - Here. Now. All of us.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is an iconic place with outstanding landscapes, habitats and communities. We work to ensure a sustainable future for this special place.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 23/09/2026
One month till the ZEV mandate consultation closes. Weakening the regs (which ramp up car makers share of electric vehicle sales) would be more consequential for net zero than Rosebank/Jackdaw, contrary to the level of scrutiny on that decision. www.gov.uk/government/c...
gov.uk
Zero emission vehicle mandate review
Seeks views on the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate and its effectiveness in the UK.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 23/09/2026
Good call from @ipprnorth.bsky.social on need for better scrutiny: www.theguardian.com/politics/202... With my Better Planning hat on, we called for this during passage of the English Devo Bill setting up strategic authorities. Govt did move a bit but don't think seen plans yet to implement it.
theguardian.com
England’s mayors should face greater scrutiny as powers expand, thinktank says
IPPR North says one bad decision could derail devolution agenda as regions gain control of billions in funding
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London TravelWatch @ldntravelwatch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Did you know you can watch Talking Transport on Spotify? 🎙️ From bus stops to rail fares, there's plenty to get stuck into! 🚆 🚏 🎫 Just search ‘Talking Transport’ to bring up all our past episodes. You can also listen if you prefer 🎧 🔗 To our latest episode: open.spotify.com/episode/26bR...
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Campaign for Better Transport @bettertransport.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
🚶‍♀️🌳 It's #WorldCarFreeDay! From Newcastle to Great Yarmouth to London, communities are enjoying car-free streets where children can play and people can connect. A glimpse of a future with cleaner air and affordable public transport for all. Read more 👉https://ow.ly/wwhU50ZPIbI
Child holding colorful chalks next to a bucket with a quote about imagining a less car-dependent future for children on World Car Free Day.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 18/09/2026
New stats on brownfield land available for housing, recorded on LA brownfield registers. England notionally has a "brownfield first" planning policy. So if that policy was biting, shouldn't we see the brownfield numbers coming down as more sites gets developed on? Instead...
the number of brownfield sites has grown every year since 2018
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 18/09/2026
From Sam Coates/Sky News leak of Starmer policy team ideas in spring - encouraging rather than constraining gas use by data centres
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 17/09/2026
Government update on impacts on UK of the "unprecedented" El Niño: www.gov.uk/government/p... Basically, be worried but don't panic (yet).
gov.uk
Impacts of El Niño on the UK
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 17/09/2026
Notable case studies are mostly people who worked for charities. Lots of charities restructuring & shedding staff as impact of employer NICs rise & difficult environment for fundraising www.theguardian.com/money/2026/s...
theguardian.com
‘I feel invisible’: over-50s reveal harsh realities of trying to get a job
Readers describe feelings of rejection after submitting hundreds of applications but getting a handful of interviews
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 17/09/2026
First environmental delivery plan (EDP) published today (controversially introduced in the Planning and Infrastructure Act). Out for consultation to end of October. Covers nutrient pollution in Norfolk. www.gov.uk/government/c...
gov.uk
Nutrient pollution – draft Norfolk Environmental Delivery Plan consultation
We’re inviting your views on a new draft Environmental Delivery Plan (EDP), designed to protect and enhance the Norfolk: Broads Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (Yare and Bure), Broadland Ramsar and...
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 16/09/2026
"There is no credible pathway for Heathrow Airport expansion within the UK’s climate commitments under current policies": blunt message from @thecccuk.bsky.social www.theccc.org.uk/2026/09/16/g...
theccc.org.uk
Government cannot expand Heathrow without requiring aviation industry to clean up its emissions - Climate Change Committee
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has advised that there is no credible pathway for Heathrow Airport expansion within the UK’s climate commitments under current policies.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 15/09/2026
Good to see the London Assembly backing Colne Valley Regional Park. Park is also facing significant development pressures from data centres in its western edge, and national planning policy is less helpful now for cross-LA structures like this www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/w...
london.gov.uk
Assembly lobbies the Mayor to support Colne Valley Regional Park
MOTION AGREED: We call on the Mayor to submit the Greater London Authority as a Member Organisation of the Colne Valley Regional Park, joining the National Trust, Natural England, and Thames Water.
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House of Commons Committees @hoccommittees.parliament.uk · 15/09/2026
How can committees contribute to improved levels of public trust in democracy? The Liaison Committee is carrying out an inquiry examining what the purpose of select committees is and if they should do more. Submit evidence to the inquiry: committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 15/09/2026
Transport will also need to deal with a "hyper" El Niño - storms and flooding likely this autumn/winter plus usually a much hotter year afterwards. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The incoming ‘super’ El Niño will create chaos around the world. And we are far from ready for it | Bill McGuire
One of the biggest upheavals in a millennium is on its way, strengthened by the climate crisis. We need leaders who make things better not worse, says climate professor Bill McGuire
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 15/09/2026
New evaluation of Help to Buy published (handily before Budget with all the lobbying for a new version going on). Helped housing supply post-2008 crash but not much impact later. www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Evaluation of the Help to Buy scheme: evaluation findings report
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Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Bravo Bristol. The ban covers advertising of petrol, diesel and hybrid-electric vehicles and SUV’s, flights, airports, cruise holidays and travel agents, firms and lobbying related to the fossil fuel industry, and marketing that encourages excessive consumption of fashion products or trends.
bristol247.com
Council bans advertising of fast fashion, flights and cars
Adverts for high carbon products will no longer appear on council-owned ad spaces
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 14/09/2026
Transport is the biggest greenhouse gas emitting sector in the UK. But it's also one of the sectors most affected by the changing climate. Latest example - reduced services in Sussex after impact of this summer hot & dry weather (includes scene of August's derailment) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Southern trains to be reduced near Lewes to help protect tracks
No direct trains will run between between Eastbourne/Ore and London Victoria during off-peak hours.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 11/09/2026
Mostly sunny day on stage 6 of North Downs Way today. Now seeing it all through the eyes of highway law from my Open Spaces Society trustee role (second pic presumably by way open to all traffic but in reality definitely not one you'd want t drive up)
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 10/09/2026
Deadline for Government response to the @thecccuk.bsky.social progress report pushed back from October to December. Heathrow expansion, ZEV mandate weakening, impact of AI are all complicating matters. New deadline set out in this SI: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/99...
legislation.gov.uk
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Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) @theaef.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Why are we expanding an airport only to have to throttle the demand because of its emissions? @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social asks THE big question about whether expanding Heathrow makes any sense. 1/4
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 10/09/2026
UK's first Catholic PM coming up against the inheritance of anti-Catholic legislation (can't advise the King on CofE appointment so Bill to be introduced). Time too to remove PM role in picking bishops? questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 10/09/2026
"Over 90% of suitable commercial roofspace is currently unused for solar deployment but could drastically increase UK renewable energy...equivalent to the energy needed to power 20 million homes per year...& almost 20 times the generating capacity of Hinkley Point C" realestateuk.org/our-work/new...
realestateuk.org
New data shows untapped commercial real estate solar capacity could generate the equivalent of almost 20 nuclear power stations and power 20 million homes
Real Estate:UK - New data shows untapped commercial real estate solar capacity could generate the equivalent of almost 20 nuclear power stations and power 20 million homes
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 09/09/2026
More evolution of Burnham's council house building pledge - now "biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war boom *ended* in the early 1980s" (from Pennycook speech today)
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 08/09/2026
Really enjoyed recording this with Michael. Do have a listen to hear about @bettertransport.bsky.social work on improving transport across UK.
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Transport for New Homes @transportfornewhomes.org.uk · 07/09/2026
We are calling on the government to double the minimum density of homes around stations (from the current 35 dwellings per hectare) so more homes can be built. actionnetwork.org/petitions/in...
actionnetwork.org
Increase minimum density to build more homes near stations
We are calling on the government to double the minimum density of homes around stations (from the current 35 dwellings per hectare) so more homes can be built. This will allow more people to live with...
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 07/09/2026
At a Commons reception this evening. Fellow guest described Palace of Westminster as "like a giant Wetherspoons", which seems a pretty accurate description
Not tonight's reception but a stock photo of reception room at Parliament
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 07/09/2026
"The government will also launch a review of the costs of rail infrastructure in the UK in the coming weeks" I think I have been working in policy too long...How many reviews have we had on this? www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Chancellor takes axe to delays holding back growth
Chancellor John Healey has set out his plan to drive growth in every postcode.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 07/09/2026
Taking charge of the commanding heights of the economy, 2026-style. Quite a change from New Labour, still quite different from old Labour. (from John Healey speech today. Interested in that hanging comma implying something extra was there in earlier draft...).
Some might claim that public control is public ownership – but it’s broader than that:

It means local leaders and a stronger centre, together exerting the public influence the public direction over the essentials – transport, energy and housing, other utilities,
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 07/09/2026
Chancellor & First Sec of State letter: "We will end this [consultation culture] trend by reasserting that there is no general duty of consultation, and that the default position should be that ministers reach decisions and proceed to act on them." www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
The Simplification and Agency of Government - Letter to all ministers
A joint letter from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the First Secretary of State, and the Attorney General to all ministers.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 04/09/2026
About 5% of UK's domestic greenhouse gas emissions come from HGVs. Decarbonising them depends on rolling out electric HGVs. Govt policy is to end the sale of smaller diesel HGVs in 2035 but latest stats from @newautomotive.org show snails pace in eHGV rollout in the meantime. Really not good enough
46 trucks were registered in August 2026, accounting for 1.86% of registrations this month. BEVs currently sit at
1.07% of the market and have struggled to make a dent in the diesel market. With the government still proposing
to end the sale of diesel HGVs by 2035 for vehicles under 26 tonnes, and 2040 for those over, the sector has a
mountain to climb.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 03/09/2026
Reform UK have published today proposals on the planning system for consultation. Broadly, pro-brownfield but at cost of requirements around affordable homes, community infrastructure levy, biodiversity net gain. Would also scrap new sub-regional plans (SDSs). www.reformparty.uk/policies/pla...
reformparty.uk
Planning Teal Paper
Our plan to halt Britain’s housing crisis and reverse the decline of our town centres
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 03/09/2026
"Land-use governance in England is fragmented across sectors, scales and institutions, including planning, agriculture, forestry, water, energy and environmental policy [with] a “missing middle” between national policy ambitions and place-sensitive decision-making" post.parliament.uk/research-bri...
post.parliament.uk
Who decides how land is used? Collaboration in multifunctional land-use decisions
This POSTnote outlines how collaborative decision-making can support multifunctional land-use decisions to deliver locally legitimate outcomes in England.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 01/09/2026
PM agrees to take up the idea of reviewing warehouse rooftop solar/ground mounted solar roll-out. Nice one for DESNZ ministers and officials to deal with first day back...
Stuart Andrew 
(Daventry) (Con)
In a volatile world, I think we can all agree that energy security is important, but so too is food security. I was interested in the answer the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North Dorset (Simon Hoare) a moment ago, because in the eastern side of my constituency there is an application for a huge solar farm on prime agricultural land, when on the western side there are huge distribution warehouses with not a single solar panel on their roofs. Will he commit to review this situation, so that we can have a policy that safeguards both our food and our energy?

The Prime Minister 
The right hon. Gentleman’s point is characteristically clear and he makes a good suggestion that I will take up. I meant what I said when I thanked him for coming to those cross-party talks in the summer. I have always enjoyed working with him and wish him well in whatever comes next.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 01/09/2026
Outcome of DfT's call for evidence about net zero ports. As with most decarbonisation policies, it's basically all about the grid connections/capacity and the price of electricity. (from www.gov.uk/government/c...)
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 01/09/2026
"Guildford in Surrey is surrounded by green belt. But Channel 4 analysis found that 96% of its green belt areas assessed were potentially grey belt. In Stoke it was 92%, North Tyneside was 44%, and Solihull, nearly 80%." channel4news.substack.com/p/revealed-l...
channel4news.substack.com
How land is being redesignated as grey belt so homes can be built
English councils are being asked to review their green belt and identify what could become grey belt. We used Freedom of Information laws to ask councils with green belt land what they are doing.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 31/08/2026
Good points. Worth adding that the House of Lords forced govt to give strategic authorities a specific competency on rural affairs in the English Devo Act to address this (which we and others lobbied for).
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 29/08/2026
Not an unreasonable line from Govt on data centres (below) but policy doesn't really exist to match this - there's no national policy statement on data centres for when they go through infrastructure planning process and for local planning, NPPF policy is just weighted to let them go through.
The government spokesperson said its refusal to pause development “does not mean a blank cheque for big tech or that every datacentre should be approved”. They said developers should “prioritise clean power, use water responsibly, create British jobs and supply chains, and provide investment to the communities in which they are built”.
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Rights Community Action @rightscommaction.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The people who know a neighbourhood best should have a meaningful say in shaping its future. The Women’s Manifesto calls for planning that listens to women and communities, protects local democracy and delivers what people actually need. Add your name: bit.ly/4ikR8DW
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 28/08/2026
New tool from UCL showing how much of shipping emissions come from in-voyage and how much when in port. Big variations across globe but overall 10% from in-port, which would could be tackled from electrification. www.shippingandoceans.com/post/new-res...
shippingandoceans.com
New research shows a sizable share of shipping emissions can be reduced through electrification
A new interactive tool developed by UCL enables IMO member states to better understand the shipping activity and emissions associated with international shipping serving their country.
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Richard Hebditch @richard.hebditch.org · 27/08/2026
Did we know Tony Juniper is leaving Natural England? (from EAC session next week)
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