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.… Read more...
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.… Read more...
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.… Read more...
Land Remediation Relief
LRF is a 150% Corporation Tax relief aimed at incentivising the regeneration of brownfield land and reducing the pressure to develop greenfield sites.
Demolition at Belmont Wharf
The Friends of Regents Canal warn that the community centre and garden at Belmont Wharf are under threat. The garden has been carefully maintained for two decades, initially with full support from Tower Hamlets Council which ceased after the May elections. The community building designed by architect Julian Sofaer has style sympathetic to the canal and serves the community well but the council wants to demolish it. See photos here.
Please let others know that they could sign a petition against demolition here.
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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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
Garden Annexe, Caravan, or Mobile Home?
Tim Catchpole of the Mortlake and East Sheen Society writes…
Our Society has had a recent experience which we would like to share with other London Forum members who may or may not have had a similar experience.
As a rule we do not normally make comments on planning applications for any development that is not visible from the public realm. However, the application in question was for planning permission for the ‘construction of a granny annex ancillary to the main house.’… Read more...
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Summer drinks party at Cowcross Street
📆 Mon 24th August | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
The annual summer drinks party for London Forum’s paid-up members will be held at the Alan Baxter office building at Cowcross Street. Please do come along and join Trustees and committee members for drinks and nibbles on Monday 24 August from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and meet fellow activists from other member societies across London. This is a free event for a maximum of two people per society – please use the booking facility ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/summer-drinks-party-at-cowcross-street-2026/#booking ) to secure your place(s). If the weather is kind we should be able to…
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Open Meeting - London Plan
📅 Mon 14th September | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 The Gallery, Cowcross St (map)
Plans for housing in London - details TBA
Please save the date !