I agree with the concept of building new cities in the UK, but have a better idea. Solve the issue of a new airport and new cities as part of the same programme. Here's how:
1. Nationalize three southern airports
The government should nationalize Heathrow and Gatwick airports (and throw in Stanstead as its such a miserable place to get to).
2. Boris' airport in the estuary
Build a new megaport with 7 runways in the Thames estuary.
3. Grant planning permission on old airports
The government should grant itself outline planning permission to build three new eco cities (highrises please not unsustainable semi-detached housing). Heathrow is 3,000 acres, Gatwick 1,665 and Stanstead 2,364. Taking a build ratio of 60% for each of these, the combined building footprint of the three locations would yield 4,217 acres. If you built to a ratio of 100 apartments per acre this would produce some 421,000 new housing units. The government should sell the land with outline planning consent at £100,000 per unit to private sector developers. This would raise some £42bn (yes, £42 billion pounds) for the Treasury.
4. Infrastructure
There would be significant savings on transport infrastructure as existing road, rail and (in the case of Heathrow) underground infrastructure, would largely network these new conurbations.
An opportunity to create world class sustainable cities, solve our housing shortage, unblock the airport problem and make a profit for the government. Who likes BAA anyway??
1. Nationalize three southern airports
The government should nationalize Heathrow and Gatwick airports (and throw in Stanstead as its such a miserable place to get to).
2. Boris' airport in the estuary
Build a new megaport with 7 runways in the Thames estuary.
3. Grant planning permission on old airports
The government should grant itself outline planning permission to build three new eco cities (highrises please not unsustainable semi-detached housing). Heathrow is 3,000 acres, Gatwick 1,665 and Stanstead 2,364. Taking a build ratio of 60% for each of these, the combined building footprint of the three locations would yield 4,217 acres. If you built to a ratio of 100 apartments per acre this would produce some 421,000 new housing units. The government should sell the land with outline planning consent at £100,000 per unit to private sector developers. This would raise some £42bn (yes, £42 billion pounds) for the Treasury.
4. Infrastructure
There would be significant savings on transport infrastructure as existing road, rail and (in the case of Heathrow) underground infrastructure, would largely network these new conurbations.
An opportunity to create world class sustainable cities, solve our housing shortage, unblock the airport problem and make a profit for the government. Who likes BAA anyway??
