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Barriers to historic building retrofit
A New Grosvenor report warns that England’s three million listed buildings and conservation area homes are being trapped in cold, costly decline by an outdated planning system
Local authorities spend the equivalent of 4,000 working days a year approving low-risk energy efficiency works that are almost always consented anyway
Retrofitting listed properties and buildings in conservation areas in England and Wales could deliver around 30% of the annual emissions reductions needed to meet the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget.… Read more...
Bus network is in decline
There was an article in TheLondoner on how London’s once world-beating bus network has been in decline for a decade and TfL has lost a quarter of its passengers and their payments.
A report by London Forum’s transport expert, Andrew Bosi, on the background to those trends will be published shortly.
London Forum’s members may also wish to subscribe to TheLondoner.
Policy for Section 106 delivery
The Government has published a policy paper on providing a time-limited, simple, more transparent and more resilient S106 system.
It is intended to give greater clarity on standards S106 units must meet in a way that works for Registered Providers (RP), as thousands of constructed or consented affordable homes are currently uncontracted and unsold.
There are conditions and guidance in the paper for LPAs to renegotiate S106 agreements and allow the tenure of homes to be varied in order to secure a buyer.… Read more...
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Can you help ?
The Forum’s Membership Services Committee (MSC) is looking for volunteers to help with activities, including organising events, producing news and Insights editorial, and communicating with the membership. Is this you? Please contact the secretary and let us know how you can help.
Car Sharing
The Zipcar vehicle hire company ceased operating in the UK at the end of last year leaving their customers with few alternative choices.
It pointed its members to the CoMoUK website for more information on other car sharing options in their area.
One that might be of interest for Londoners is the Enterprise CarClub
It states that it operates in 30 London boroughs but their coverage of wards is low at present, as here, and it offers three membership options
Their vehicle locations are searchable by landmark or street.
Local Plan funding
The government has announced more funding to support local authorities with Local Plan-making.
The Local Plan changes were explained in an earlier London Forum update here.
There was guidance for LPAs and a statement by Mathew Pennycook MP.
Legacy System Plan Funding – For local authorities progressing a Local Plan who intend to submit it for examination by 31st December 2026 and are meeting the Government’s defined criteria.
New System Plan Funding – For local authorities which commit to bringing a new Local Plan forward early in the new plan-making system.
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform
Comments are wanted on likely effectiveness of reforms in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Bill and any changes needed.
London Forum’s members should inform their own members so people living in Commonhold and Leasehold can contribute to the HCLG Committee on point 4. below by 31 March 2026.
Densifying the Suburbs – Meeting report
We held an excellent sold-out meeting last week examining the issues, with very interesting speakers and a rapt audience. The event page has been updated with a detailed report, event photo and the pdf presentations from Tony Travers and Paul Lewin. It can be found in our events archive along with records of previous meetings.
Measures to improve delivery of affordable housing in London
London Forum has responded to two consultations to boost house building, as follows.
A Government consultation on Emergency Measures for a temporary relief from the CIL and changes to Mayoral planning powers.
A GLA draft London Plan Guidance proposing time-limited changes to cycle parking, changes to housing design guidance and a time-limited planning route for the delivery of affordable housing.
London Forum believes neither will achieve the extra affordable homes intended.
See our responses in ‘What We’ve Said‘.
![London HRA [London Councils]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/London-HRA.jpg?resize=577%2C358&ssl=1)
Exceptional Financial Support
The Government has announced details of support granted to local authorities that have requested Exceptional Financial Support in financial year 2025-26.
It follows the evidence submitted by London Councils on behalf or London’s local authorities, as in London Forum’s update of 1st July 2025
Beneficiaries include the boroughs of Barnet, Croydon, Enfield, Haringey, Havering, Lambeth and Newham as here.
There is also a Government statutory intervention for LB Croydon.
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Cost-of-living crisis
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Low cost solar panels
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Blockers and Approvers: Rates of Delegation and Approval for Planning Applications
The Government recently published Planning Statistics for the year to March 2025. For the 32 London boroughs, the statistics showed some interesting features.
First, they showed that all but three boroughs – Camden, Ealing and Harrow delegated decisions to officers on 90% or more of the applications they received; and that 19 of them delegated decisions on more than 98% of applications. Two boroughs – Enfield and Redbridge – delegated decisions on nearly 100% of applications.… Read more...
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