The National Trust’s report on land-use planning systems is two steps in the right direction, one step backwards

Henry Overman appreciates the ‘Inexpensive Progress’ report by the National Trust for recognising some of the costs that had previously been ignored. However, he disagrees with their claim that there is not much evidence evinced about the potential benefits that the reforms would bring. The National Trust continues to downplay the significance of relevant studies to this effect and thus overestimates the non-economic costs of building on undeveloped land.