Property developer Dominic Richards reveals why Britain needs great places, and not just more homes in latest devcast episode

London, UK – In a candid interview on the latest devcast episode, Dominic Richards, Co-Founder and Chair of Our Place, has issued a warning about Britain's planning system whilst revealing how his company is pioneering genuinely sustainable place making through innovative partnerships and holistic community design.

Speaking with Georgia Zambakides, Executive Director of deverellsmith, Richards shared his unconventional journey from selling teddy bears in Australia to becoming a leading voice in sustainable urbanism. His path began with a "lightning bolt" moment at the Prince of Wales Institute of Architecture, leading to three decades of involvement with what is now the King's Foundation.

Richards challenged the property industry's increasingly hollow use of the word "sustainable," arguing that true sustainability extends far beyond individual building specifications. "You could build the most perfect ‘Teletubbies’ houses that grew out of the earth, but if you had to get in your car to go and buy a pint of milk, I wouldn't care that your house was so sustainable," he explained.

Instead, Richards advocates for walkable neighbourhoods where different income groups and age groups live together, with employment, education, healthcare, and nature integrated at the heart of communities. This philosophy underpins all Our Place developments, including a Spitalfields project so well-integrated that visitors struggle to identify it as new construction.

The interview highlighted innovation with a partnership that will deliver zero energy bills to Kingswood residents for a minimum of 10 years through integrated solar power, battery storage, heat pumps, and smart EV charging. "Can you imagine what that would do psychologically for somebody?" Richards asked.

Richards emphasised that achieving true sustainability requires building at scale. Developments of 50 to 200 houses cannot support the infrastructure needed for thriving communities. "We need 10-to-20-year programmes rather than three-year programmes," he stated. "Without this long-term legacy view, we are really heading to hell in a handcart."

On London's future, Richards expressed deep concern about affordability, warning that without adequate housing for young professionals, the capital risks becoming "a much more boring place" lacking diversity and vibrancy.

Richards concluded with his vision: building as many places as possible where communities can flourish whilst demonstrating commercial viability. "I hope that through us showing how you can make money and do things that you're proud of, many more people will feel encouraged to do it."