Grants available for local projects
The London Friends of Green Spaces Network has published a seven page document on the availability of grants for local authorities, resident groups and amenity societies. See the list here.
London Forum’s members are asked to forward details to organisations in their locality which may be eligible for the grants described.
Planning in London, Issue 138, Jul-Sep 2026
Issue 138 of Planning in London, the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been published, covering the period July-September 2026.
Contents:
- Housing, devolution & new towns — Burnham’s growth agenda, National Housing Bank.
- London’s office squeeze — shortage of prime workspace & economic impact.
- Olympia unveiled — Spparc & Heatherwick’s £1.3bn regeneration in Hammersmith.
- £9bn in unspent developer contributions — why S106 & CIL funds are stuck in council accounts.
- Planning policy & appeals — City Plan 2040 stalled, station-led development & rising appeal rates.
- High streets [more…]
The GLC legacy – 40 Years On
There will be a conference on 31st October 2026 on Designing London: The Landscape Legacy of the Greater London Council, 40 Years On.
Here are details and a link to tickets.
The event marks the GLC’s demise by critically reassessing its role in landscape architecture, urban design, and public policy.
Tim Catchpole will talk on the GLC’s urban landscape plan: where best to locate tall buildings.
London Form’s members are asked to broadcast details of this event at which fascinating London planning history will be explored.
Dates for Tube train upgrades
A TimeOut news report by Eloise Feilden describes how the plans for replacing the 54 year old Bakerloo Line’s trains has commenced, but slowly.
New trains are unlikely to be on the tracks before 2035.
The current priority for TfL is the new walk-through, air-conditioned carriages and upgrades for the Piccadilly line, in their explanation.
TimeOut reported in February that the new Piccadilly Line’s trains will be operational later than expected. The forecast is for Summer 2027.
Ten BLGs in the draft London Plan
The draft London Plan was published with supporting evidence.
Comments on its content by LF members are requested by 8th September 2026 to planning@londonforum.org.uk
The plan identifies ten Broad Locations for Growth (BLG). A useful map and density information for them are in an article by Russell Curtis. He has looked at the locations identified for intensification, to try and understand where the new homes identified within the borough targets might be located
Your comments on any of those BLGs are welcome also.
Historic buildings for homes
Evidence suggests 670,000 homes could be created through the reuse of vacant or under-used historic buildings.
The CMS Committee published a report with recommendations include planning reform, improved funding and investment in heritage skills.
A response by the Government is expected after Parliament reconvenes.
The name of the DCMS is changing to Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
SAVE has written to Secretaries of State for Housing and Energy making the case for reusing historic buildings to tackle some of our most pressing issues.
![AI-affected jobs [Anthropic]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AI.webp?resize=554%2C554&ssl=1)
How AI affects work in London
According to Greater London Authority numbers, nearly half of London’s workforce, around 2.4 million people, are in roles where generative AI could automate a meaningful share of their tasks, with more than a million Londoners in highly or significantly exposed jobs.
A Task Force has investigated the issues and produced a report with recommendations on how they should be managed.
One of the proposals is a commitment to an annual State of AI and Work in London dashboard to track progress and recommend course corrections.
Rewiring the State
The Cabinet Office has published a plan to fundamentally “rewire the state” by shifting power, funding and accountability from Whitehall to local leaders – to drive growth, improve public services and give communities greater control over their future.
The Cabinet will meet with all the Mayors and their chief executives in September, to discuss progress on rewiring the state.
Mayors will be held accountable for good growth and addressing inequalities in their area.
‘The Londoner’ has an article on implications for London.
Clean Rivers and Waterways plan
Sadiq Khan has launched a 10-year Clean Rivers and Waterways plan to transform London’s rivers, ridding them of pollution, making them safe and accessible for Londoners and ensuring nature and wildlife can thrive. The plan will focus on ten key locations across London where the restoration of blue and green spaces can deliver the fastest and widest benefits for Londoners.
The plan is intended to improve river health, restore wildlife habitats and make waterways swimmable where it is safe to do so,
Digital site identification and assessment
The Government has published guidance to Local Authorities on how digital tools, including mapping platforms, site assessment tools and digital submission systems, can support the planning and development processes.
It does not replace professional planning judgement but helps with:-
- Using the Digital Planning Directory to find tools and suppliers
- Implementing digital tools
- Identifying potential sites
- Assessing sites identified
- Costs and benefits
- Risks to consider
- What Councils learned in the trials
The Government offers a short feedback form to help them to improve the guidance.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
Protection for Public Green Space
The Government will review the fragmented and outdated nature of current legislative protections for public recreational green spaces, assess how ...
![Greenwich Park, London [Photo: Pexels]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Greenwich-Park-London-Pexels.jpg?fit=150%2C100&ssl=1)
Parks and Climate Change
The Heritage Fund worked with Historic England to better understand how the climate crisis is affecting the UK’s natural heritage ...
Ongoing District Line service problems
East Putney, Southfields, Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon stations together see over 29 million entries and exits a year but there ...
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Member News
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Will the London Plan deliver the housing and places London needs?
📆 Mon 14th September | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
A last chance to shape the London Plan — join us next Monday. The draft London Plan proposes that 50% of all new homes be affordable. With competition for homes, industrial and other uses, some housing will be built in what is now Green Belt land. This is an important subject covering proposals for housing development in London for the next 20 years. Book now ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/will-the-london-plan-deliver-the-housing-and-places-london-needs/#booking ) for this Open Meeting on Monday 14th September. We’ve invited the London Plan team to talk about: The amount of housing required to meet…
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 8th October | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)