Sir John Egan is spot on with his castigation of housebuilders, but not all of them I should add.

Many of them can’t see past “kerb appeal” – it’s all frills and no substance. They build to suit themselves, not their customers and they hate change.

One of the arguments used against timber frame is that it’s too fast! And a few years ago, Nottingham University did a survey to find out why more builders did not incorporate useable attic space in their houses; a significant response was that it would mean house buyers would not need to buy up the chain!

My apologies to those of them who have made progress – they do exist! I know they do as I’ve seen the very impressive result on recent train journeys up and down the country. But they still don’t provide gardens large enough for serious vegetable growers!

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