Like every other Minister pouring over their departmental spending budgets, Grant Shapps has been keen to keep his cards close to his chest of late - and who can blame him.
As the Comprehensive Spending Review (and this Autumn's Localism Bill) draw ever closer, so does the dreaded fleshing out of government policy.
The process of soundbite-peppered branding begins to morph into a tangible legislative program, and it is upon this (not the all-to-easy rhetoric of 'fiscal responsbility', 'reconceptualisation' and 'unleashing entrepreneurail spirit') that the coalition will be judged.
During the brief period of limbo we now find ourselves in, a few policy details will be drip-fed through to demonstrate the government's ongoing reformist and progressive credetials.
Occassionally, however, details of this kind trickle through that might give you the impression that the policy had not been entirely thought through. Grant Shapps' announcement on Wednesday regarding Right to Build is one such detail.
The previous requirement of 90% in a local ballot to trigger automatic approval of a development was, in truth, a ridiculous figure if the policy was ever to achieve its desired aims - empowering communities, devolving responsibility and reducing bureaucracy in local government.
In this sense, the new 75% figure is a progressive move (if one agrees with the policy's premise in the first instance).
However, the emergence of 'Community Right to Build organisations' in the rhetoric presents another huge grey area - with the structure and remit of these organisations (and their relationship with the local planning authority) still anyone's guess.
Doubtless we will receive "further details after the CSR/Localism Bill" - and perhaps the policy will prove to be a grand success.
But, it is the lack of clarity and detail that has industry professionals tearing their hair out on these proposals - and thankfully, the waiting is almost over.
Ally Kennedy
Liberal Democrat Consultant
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