In Richmond upon Thames, planning decisions can turn as quickly as the tide. A block of riverside flats was waved through by the Conservative council in March, despite local consternation.
Two months later, the Liberal Democrats took power and promptly mothballed the scheme. The incident in south-west London has drawn accusations of Nimbyism: claims that residents are willing to see development, so long as it’s “not in my back yard”.
The accusers may have a point. Proposals for 1,991 new homes have been submitted to the council since January 2015, according to Savills’ development database.
