Tom Dobson
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tomdobbo.bsky.social
Tom Dobson
@tomdobbo.bsky.social
MD Quod
Cities, planning, numbers.
Fred’s dead (no he ain’t!)

Just saw Fred Wesley @unionchapeluk.bsky.social. what a privilege. all time great trombonist, showman & mainstay of James Brown and George Clinton’s bands. New JBs are brilliant with back catalogue to die for. Tickets available for tomorrow. You won’t regret it.
November 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Positive move from the Government and glad it’s happened quickly. Important to clarify the position after recent Appeal decisions to give more certainty to applicants and decision makers.
Uncertainty about the application of the sequential test is causing real problems for housebuilders across the country.

To ensure a proportionate, pragmatic and consistent approach to surface flood risk, we have today updated Planning Practice Guidance 👇🏻

www.gov.uk/guidance/flo...
Flood risk and coastal change
Advises how to take account of and address the risks associated with flooding and coastal change in the planning process.
www.gov.uk
September 17, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Much as I love Ant haven’t we been here before with Universal Credit and Andrew Lansley’s NHS reforms? I would be very cautious about throwing the whole system in the air when ministers already have many of the legal tools to add certainty anyway.
September 9, 2025 at 11:34 AM
As ever an excellent and informative blog by Simon, as is the original post linked in the article about the substantive issue in the Epping case. Simon saw the writing on the wall on x/twitter long before most of us and is the epitome of a decent human being in indecent times.
August 20, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The response to this is insane. Read the post it doesn’t replace other contact. AI may or may not be helpful but it is something that people are going to try so why not see whether it can be of benefit? And for the concern trolls (or people who think MPs are lazy) here’s his August surgeries.
August 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Tom Dobson
Always thought we should move from negative regulatory approach to positive Government led plans to achieve improvements which developers contribute to. Having watched the bill committee i think that is the intention and I hope these clarifications re-assure people that is what will happen
When it comes to development and the environment, we must move beyond a failing status quo.

To provide confidence that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill delivers the win-win we know it will, we have today tabled a package of amendments to Part 3 👇🏻

www.gov.uk/government/p...
Summary: Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Government Amendments to Part 3 (Lords Committee Stage)
www.gov.uk
July 19, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Always thought we should move from negative regulatory approach to positive Government led plans to achieve improvements which developers contribute to. Having watched the bill committee i think that is the intention and I hope these clarifications re-assure people that is what will happen
When it comes to development and the environment, we must move beyond a failing status quo.

To provide confidence that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill delivers the win-win we know it will, we have today tabled a package of amendments to Part 3 👇🏻

www.gov.uk/government/p...
Summary: Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Government Amendments to Part 3 (Lords Committee Stage)
www.gov.uk
July 19, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Absolutely agree. We have done this before and can do it again, let’s finish the job, is much better framing. The tendency to catastrophise everything (even if you think it’s a catastrophe) politically puts it in the category of ‘this must be really hard and everyone must change their lifestyles’
A welcome report, but I don't fully agree with the framing. Air pollution hasn't really become a public health issue. It has been a much worse one historically but we started to estimate these effects relatively recently. 1/2
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK air pollution killing more than 500 people a week, doctors say
Royal College of Physicians also says poor air quality costs country more than £500m a week
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Arteta will be pleased because actually this means Arsenal have won the Champions League because they had more possession in the 2nd leg against PSG.
May 31, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Very disappointed there is no Whyteleafe South or Caterham.
NAMES OF THE 2025 WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

Addisen
Brenlee
Braiesey
Camryn
Chaney
Cydney
Graycen
Jaden
Kayden
Kadey
Kasidi
Karlyn
Kaylynn
Keagan
Kedre
Kenleigh
Kinsey
Korbe
Kierston
Lair
Paytn
Persy
Ramsey
Remmington
Regan
Raegan
Reagan
Shylien
Stefini
Teagan

and…

FOUR (!) players named Rylee
Names of players in this SEC softball semifinal (Arkansas-Oklahoma)

Corri
Carlee
Karlie
Kailey
Kadey
Kasey
Kasidi
Kierston
Jayden (x2)
Paytn
Payton
Raigan
Reagan
May 28, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Tom Dobson
The Board said women were too "emotionally labile" to be licensed to box, because of their menstrual cycle.
It's still the only time I've ever advised a client they have a 100% chance of success
May 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Tom Dobson
This is ugly, unworkable, nonsense and frankly a mask slip moment. We are in substantial danger of slipping into a moment of mass hysteria and moral panic not seen in decades and it cannot stand.
April 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
April 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Tom Dobson
Enjoyed doing this. If you missed its on YouTube. In summary, IMV, Grey Belt is a well designed policy contributing to housing growth in the right places, in advance of more fundamental GB reviews (and New Towns). Forthcoming viability guidance is going to be important for this and generally.
🔴Live now | Waste land? What can we expect from the grey belt?

Today we are joined by @antbreach.bsky.social, Heather Sargent of Landmark Chambers and @tomdobbo.bsky.social of @quodplanning.bsky.social to discuss planning reform.

👇
youtube.com/live/Bk7WwmZ...
March 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Enjoyed doing this. If you missed its on YouTube. In summary, IMV, Grey Belt is a well designed policy contributing to housing growth in the right places, in advance of more fundamental GB reviews (and New Towns). Forthcoming viability guidance is going to be important for this and generally.
🔴Live now | Waste land? What can we expect from the grey belt?

Today we are joined by @antbreach.bsky.social, Heather Sargent of Landmark Chambers and @tomdobbo.bsky.social of @quodplanning.bsky.social to discuss planning reform.

👇
youtube.com/live/Bk7WwmZ...
March 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Sorry but there is only one holy trinity
November 30, 2024 at 1:35 PM
This is one of my locals. If you live in Islington please support the pub by e mailing the Council. Some punters can be annoying but you live in bloody EC1! (Ps it’s licensing not planning!)
One of the best pubs in London struggling for survival because planning is stacked in favour of some powerful NIMBYs. Everything that’s wrong with Britain.
November 22, 2024 at 8:33 PM
Reposted by Tom Dobson
There's only any logic in upping London's housing target if you think that'll increase housebuilding rates - but London was failing (by masses) to meet the previous target - so I can't see how increasing it to even more unrealistic levels would help?
Government has been urged to consider keeping the 100k housing target for London

Pro-building group PricedOut says while it is "really excited" by Labour housebuilding policy, cutting the capital's target by 20% is a "mistake"

@tomscotson.bsky.social reports

www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Pro-Building Group Urges Labour To Keep Bigger London Housing Target
A pro-housing group is urging the Government to consider keeping the London housing target at 100,000 a year, rather than go ahead with plans to lower it to 80,000.
www.politicshome.com
August 14, 2024 at 12:09 PM