This week, many will have seen further briefings suggesting that the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London are preparing emergency plans to address the capital’s housing crisis. The proposals, it seems, are all but confirmed to reduce the overall level of affordable housing required through the fast-track route in London.

For many in the industry, such a move feels long overdue. Yet, the gap between what’s clearly needed to boost housebuilding and what Londoners expect remains vast. The shortfall is dire, but public understanding of the practical realities of delivery is often limited.

I first saw this story not on LinkedIn, but shared through my local Facebook group, Walthamstow Life. Unsurprisingly, most comments showed little recognition of the escalating costs of building in London. There remains a huge disconnect between what people believe is deliverable and what developers can reasonably achieve. And, if we’re honest, can we really blame them? Londoners are contending with rising living costs, rapid change in their neighbourhoods, and an ideological debate that too often reduces complex issues to “market sale bad, social rent good.”

The move by the Secretary of State and the Mayor is therefore welcome, though many of our clients will feel it barely scratches the surface of the costs they are still expected to absorb, nor does it address the glacial pace of the planning system.

So what can be done? Politicians, both local and national, have a crucial role. Honesty about the challenges of delivering viable new homes on brownfield sites must become the norm, not the exception. Councils should adopt a determined, pragmatic approach that supports applicants who, commendably, remain willing to build in such challenging conditions.

And perhaps predictably, as a consultant, my advice to the development industry is simple: engage, engage, engage. Approach conversations about viability with candour and optimism. Bring residents with you on the planning journey, help them understand both the challenges and the benefits of what’s being proposed. Likewise, politicians need to be equipped with the facts and context to respond to residents’ concerns when debate inevitably becomes heated.

None of this is revolutionary, but it’s increasingly vital, particularly with borough elections fast approaching in May next year.