There is an awful lot in the Govt's new proposals for a brand new planning system this morning. Discard all talk of zoning, leafy streets and beautiful houses for a moment, because there is one massive change that stands out above all others (1)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/907216/MHCLG_Planning_Consultation_Document.pdf

It's this bit: there will be a new target set by central government for councils to build a certain amount of houses in their area every year. For the first time since planning rules were created in 1947, Whitehall is dictating volume on councils. Councils only decide where (2)

Here's the juiciest bit: councils will be ordered to build where people want to live. That means expanding leafy market towns in largely Tory constituencies. Robert Jenrick is squeamish about selling this point this morning, but Boris Johnson is v forthright in his foreword: (3)

This will very likely lead to an almighty fight between the PM and his home county backbenchers (hence why the plan wasn't in the election manifesto and is being launched in August). Is Johnson ready for it? He will need to be. If he succeeds, it could be his greatest legacy (4)