Sadiq Khan smashes the green belt

On this week’s Abundance Agenda, we discuss Sadiq Khan’s dramatic YIMBY U-turn, announcing this week that London needs to build on its green belt – and why the real villains are London’s golf courses.

Then we dig into the failure to build a massive new North Sea wind farm – and wonder what the changing economics of wind mean for the government’s 2030 Net Zero grid pledge.

And finally, we speak to Sam Richards, CEO of Britain Remade, about his new report making the case for several new ideas to improve the planning system – and how these ideas could benefit not just the pointy-headed wonks, but British workers too.

The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!

You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.

You can find James’s piece on why Tony Blair is right about climate here.

And Martin’s piece on the nature of diagnosis here.

00:00 Introduction to the Abundance Agenda

00:26 London's Housing Crisis and the Green Belt

03:55 The Reality of London's Green Belt

05:25 Golf Courses and Urban Development

10:28 Political Will and Transit-Based Development

12:21 Opposition to the Green Belt Push

17:36 Challenges in Wind Farm Development

23:48 Future of Nuclear Energy Projects

24:23 Challenges in Achieving Net Zero

25:20 Government's Role in Nuclear Commitment

26:08 Wind Farms and Inflation

26:46 Housekeeping and Substack Updates

28:25 Interview with Sam Richards

29:01 Planning Reforms for Net Zero

32:53 Estate Renewal Passports

36:30 New Towns and Housing Expansion

38:49 Nuclear Power Plant Regulations

46:12 Environmental Rules and Clean Energy

49:07 Local Support for Infrastructure Projects

52:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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