Simon Ricketts
@simonicity.bsky.social
Ubiquitous planning lawyer.
Arts; culture; politics; simonicity blog.
Personal views.
Not much football because Saints FC.
Arts; culture; politics; simonicity blog.
Personal views.
Not much football because Saints FC.
Hope to see some of you at the LPDF conference this morning and walking to the station just now I gave a preview to the Boxmoor sheep of what I plan to say in the panel session. Please don’t back away worried like they did.
November 27, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Hope to see some of you at the LPDF conference this morning and walking to the station just now I gave a preview to the Boxmoor sheep of what I plan to say in the panel session. Please don’t back away worried like they did.
Halestorm at the O2 this evening. Phew. Lizzy Hale (middle dot on stage) has possibly the most amazing vocal cords in modern rock. An enjoyable whatever the opposite is of a quiet night in…
November 26, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Halestorm at the O2 this evening. Phew. Lizzy Hale (middle dot on stage) has possibly the most amazing vocal cords in modern rock. An enjoyable whatever the opposite is of a quiet night in…
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
If we are doing old videos of Christmas Parties may I direct you all to Slaughter and May in 1981?
For those of us who weren't around at the time, it is remarkable just how far law (especially Big Law) has changed in the last 45 years from the lack of women solicitors to the piles of paper.
For those of us who weren't around at the time, it is remarkable just how far law (especially Big Law) has changed in the last 45 years from the lack of women solicitors to the piles of paper.
November 23, 2025 at 9:46 PM
If we are doing old videos of Christmas Parties may I direct you all to Slaughter and May in 1981?
For those of us who weren't around at the time, it is remarkable just how far law (especially Big Law) has changed in the last 45 years from the lack of women solicitors to the piles of paper.
For those of us who weren't around at the time, it is remarkable just how far law (especially Big Law) has changed in the last 45 years from the lack of women solicitors to the piles of paper.
16 years ago young Justin Bieber broke his foot on stage supporting Taylor Swift, and I was there…
November 23, 2025 at 9:06 PM
16 years ago young Justin Bieber broke his foot on stage supporting Taylor Swift, and I was there…
Enjoyed an event in the House of Commons this evening.
November 19, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Enjoyed an event in the House of Commons this evening.
Social media strategies 101: should I spend a morning writing a blog post or post a pic of cat & snow? 🤔
November 19, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Social media strategies 101: should I spend a morning writing a blog post or post a pic of cat & snow? 🤔
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
... and for those interested in wider public law challenges to accommodating asylum seekers in a particular area, check out Friday's judgment in R(Coventry) v. Home Secretary.
New blog post, There Was Some Controversial News In Planning This Week But Instead Let’s Focus On the Latest Ruling In The Epping Forest Asylum Seekers Litigation
simonicity.com/2025/11/15/t...
simonicity.com/2025/11/15/t...
November 16, 2025 at 8:42 AM
New blog post, There Was Some Controversial News In Planning This Week But Instead Let’s Focus On the Latest Ruling In The Epping Forest Asylum Seekers Litigation
simonicity.com/2025/11/15/t...
simonicity.com/2025/11/15/t...
There Was Some Controversial News In Planning This Week But Instead Let’s Focus On the Latest Ruling In The Epping Forest Asylum Seekers Litigation
The Secretary of State finally said it out loud on 11 November 2025: the proposed National Development Management Policies will be non-statutory. There will be more detail in a speech he will give …
simonicity.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:59 PM
New blog post, There Was Some Controversial News In Planning This Week But Instead Let’s Focus On the Latest Ruling In The Epping Forest Asylum Seekers Litigation
simonicity.com/2025/11/15/t...
simonicity.com/2025/11/15/t...
The Anchoress at the Union Chapel tonight.
November 14, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The Anchoress at the Union Chapel tonight.
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
Ok President Trump, if you sue the BBC for $1bn for spreading lies, I’ll sue you for the same amount. I reckon Planet Earth would crowdfund that. Then I’ll buy Mar A Largo, turn it into a climate change research centre, free Melania, and put a 1000% tariff on orange face paint.
November 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Ok President Trump, if you sue the BBC for $1bn for spreading lies, I’ll sue you for the same amount. I reckon Planet Earth would crowdfund that. Then I’ll buy Mar A Largo, turn it into a climate change research centre, free Melania, and put a 1000% tariff on orange face paint.
We were on the M3 today and the car started hallucinating that we have an 80 mph speed limit.
November 9, 2025 at 7:16 PM
We were on the M3 today and the car started hallucinating that we have an 80 mph speed limit.
Anyone else see Laurie Anderson at the Roundhouse this evening? Speechless with awe. If I said it was an audio visual polemic that would take the humanity out of it. LA smiled throughout, nailing current dystopia, ending with hope & audience tai chi.
November 8, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Anyone else see Laurie Anderson at the Roundhouse this evening? Speechless with awe. If I said it was an audio visual polemic that would take the humanity out of it. LA smiled throughout, nailing current dystopia, ending with hope & audience tai chi.
The new Midlake album is so gentle, harmonious and lush - the only jarring note being the apparently deliberate misspelling in the title, A Bridge To Far. Far out man. Looking forward to their London gig next Feb.
open.spotify.com/album/0TwNjr...
open.spotify.com/album/0TwNjr...
A Bridge To Far
open.spotify.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The new Midlake album is so gentle, harmonious and lush - the only jarring note being the apparently deliberate misspelling in the title, A Bridge To Far. Far out man. Looking forward to their London gig next Feb.
open.spotify.com/album/0TwNjr...
open.spotify.com/album/0TwNjr...
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
We’re back to the sandwich video. The paper, the defense points out, is still on. “You don’t see there’s mustard on it?” “You can’t tell there’s ketchup on it?” Mayonnaise? Lettuce? Tomato? “In fact, that sandwich hasn’t exploded at all?” Witness says the sandwich “looks bent and out of shape.”
November 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
We’re back to the sandwich video. The paper, the defense points out, is still on. “You don’t see there’s mustard on it?” “You can’t tell there’s ketchup on it?” Mayonnaise? Lettuce? Tomato? “In fact, that sandwich hasn’t exploded at all?” Witness says the sandwich “looks bent and out of shape.”
Reposted by Simon Ricketts
The officer Sandwich Guy is charged with assaulting testifies that he could feel the impact of the sandwich through his ballistic vest, and it “exploded all over my uniform.” He says he could “smell the onions and the mustard.”
November 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The officer Sandwich Guy is charged with assaulting testifies that he could feel the impact of the sandwich through his ballistic vest, and it “exploded all over my uniform.” He says he could “smell the onions and the mustard.”
Been parcelling up so much recently I have been given my own bubble wrap suit. Apologies in advance if I start popping in meetings. Nervous habit.
November 4, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Been parcelling up so much recently I have been given my own bubble wrap suit. Apologies in advance if I start popping in meetings. Nervous habit.
Just needed batteries & then technological magic - 50 year old pics not seen for a long long time. Now just need to save up enough greenshield stamps for a slide projector.
November 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Just needed batteries & then technological magic - 50 year old pics not seen for a long long time. Now just need to save up enough greenshield stamps for a slide projector.
New blog post, 4 Key Asks For The London Housebuilding Support Package Consultation
simonicity.com/2025/11/01/4...
simonicity.com/2025/11/01/4...
4 Key Asks For The London Housebulding Support Package Consultation
Most chats this week have been about the 23 October 2025 homes for London policy note. tl;dr summary: positive direction but concerns about potential complexities, uncertainties and as to whether i…
simonicity.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:47 AM
New blog post, 4 Key Asks For The London Housebuilding Support Package Consultation
simonicity.com/2025/11/01/4...
simonicity.com/2025/11/01/4...
This album still cuts through. Great re-release yesterday on Secret Records, lovely black vinyl.
October 31, 2025 at 9:51 PM
This album still cuts through. Great re-release yesterday on Secret Records, lovely black vinyl.
I am halloween scrooge. Surely this is just the start of dodgy penny for the guy season?
October 31, 2025 at 6:39 AM
I am halloween scrooge. Surely this is just the start of dodgy penny for the guy season?
The andrew formerly known as prince
October 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The andrew formerly known as prince
Took me a day or so to be ready for this after the last week. Tough listen. #saintsfc
spotify.link/M4lEXFBgQXb
spotify.link/M4lEXFBgQXb
Episode 338 - Total Saints Podcast
spotify.link
October 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Took me a day or so to be ready for this after the last week. Tough listen. #saintsfc
spotify.link/M4lEXFBgQXb
spotify.link/M4lEXFBgQXb