My father-in-law is a builder. It is difficult to get his attention in a magnificent space because he is lost in wonder. We were standing in front of some Georgian townhouses together years ago and I asked him what it would take to build it today. I will never forget his answer… 'We can’t, we wouldn't get permission for the windows or the steps.'
Gavin White@gavinwhite76
Jul 11
These 46 affordable homes were built to Passivhaus standards on two sites in Harpurhey for local families, including 28 for Social and Manchester Living Rent.🌹 Both part of our Project 500 scheme with @ManCityCouncil to use our own land for more low carbon and social housing.🏡

Jul 13, 2026 · 3:00 PM UTC

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Replying to @rich_rdctd
India Street, Edinburgh My hood....every property for a mile around would be entirely illegal to build nowadays!
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and yet utterly glorious
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
Do they look nice? Are they also single glazed freezing energy wasting nightmares? Yes and yes. Can we built faux Georgian doll houses in 2026? Yes we could but it would cost 20-30% for an aesthetic and nostalgic obsession.
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Then the solution is cheaper energy and customer choice. We build shitboxes because the government imposes environmental regulations that bump the price up massively and our energy costs prohibit being comfortable. Everything is downstream of government and energy
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
You don't need the steps and depending on orientation, price and shading, you can get the windows...
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Who says I don't need the steps. They are an aesthetic feature.
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
I agree about the lack of density. Windows is more difficult. Larger windows makes it harder to maintain temperature. Perhaps if we added shutters.
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Or perhaps air conditioning....
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
Passivhaus? ComplianceHaus more like
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They come with a prebuilt Ikea Cuck chair in the bedroom
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
There's the rub; it's hard to make life beautiful when the people with power think the loveliest things in the world are a ticked box and the sound of the word "no".
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
Who needs permission?? Where did this idea that somebody else should be dictating your actions?? Build what you want.
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
Enshitifcation strikes again. If you look at how most houses perform "with modern building techniques" it hasn't really changed in 200 years. We have more windows, worse looking buildings that last a short time and have no sense of place.
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
People are saying that the extra decorations would cost more as if the shithouses being made are any cheaper 😭 The developers pocket all the extra profits, so they don't wanna spend extra on creating beautiful motifs. Us consumers still have to pay just as much for the land.
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
A crime that is.
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
@grok change nothing in these images other than just make the windows and step modern day compliant
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
You are a liar, we can build housing like that and you do not have a father-in-law that is a builder as he would tell you the same thing. So why is that people who apparently promote "Britcoin" always spreading false information?
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Replying to @rich_rdctd
Where are those ugly Georgian houses. They are the worst I have ever seen.
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