Hounslow Council Leader responds to criticism about finances
On 11th November 2025, London Forum published an update containing criticisms by LB Hounslow Councillors of the cost of the Council’s ‘Lampton Group’ and the loans made to it.
In the Chiswick Calendar online magazine, the local authority’s Leader, Shantanu Rajawat, has responded to those criticisms over Hounslow’s finances, as here. He explains how Hounslow’s finances are in “remarkably good shape”.
![A4 cyclepath [photo: OGWRA]](https://www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/A4-cyclepath-OGWRA-320x202.jpg)
A4 cycle lane needs repair
A London Forum member society in Osterley has asked people to sign their petition, as below.
While there is major investment in Cycle Superhighway 9, the neglected A4 cycle path from Cranford to Chiswick remains hazardous and poorly maintained, prompting urgent calls for resurfacing, regular cleaning, safer junctions, and improved infrastructure to ensure it meets the safety standards of West London’s cycling network.
Please send this link to anyone who cycles on the A4 cycle path, or would like to do so. … Read more...
Survey of UK investors
Investec published in November its 2025 Future Living report. It highlights the investment sector’s resilience when facing problems of regulation and economic policy hampering near-term prospects. Those include the impact of the Building Safety Act and the Renters’ Right Act on investment decisions.
The survey was of 50 global institutional investors in UK real estate representing £300 billion assets under management. The results highlight the asset classes most affected and the ways in which investors and developers are adapting.
Zipcar leaves London
The website ‘London Centric’ has reported that Zipcar has decided to end offering their car and van rental services in London – subscribers should have received the email notification shown. The article explains the Zipcar decision and the effect on people in the capital using their vehicles.
Planning changes for London and for Local Plans
Government Chief Planner, Joanna Averley, issued another update on producing Local Plans, and next steps regarding planning measures for London.
The Local Plan changes, as set out in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, are explained here. There is guidance for LPAs and a statement by Mathew Pennycook MP.
There are two consultations for London, one on temporary relief from CIL and another on removal of elements of LPG guidance that can constrain density.… Read more...
Chief Planner’s update
On 24th November 2025 Joanna Averley, the MHCLG Chief Planner, issued an update letter to planners in local authorities on speeding up development within walking distance of well-connected train and tram stations. See related Forum update of 26th November.
The update covered many other changes including Local Plans; LPA skills and resources; a new call-in when councils are likely to decline applications for 150 homes or more; removing the requirement for public inquiries for called-in applications; reducing statutory consultation and removing Sport England, The Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust from the list of consultees.… Read more...
![New London Architecture [NLA]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot-from-2025-11-21-21-46-00.png?resize=303%2C154&ssl=1)
NLA Award Winners
The NLA Awards 2025, honour the people, places and projects that show in their developments high quality design, positive social impact and environmental responsibility. The details are here.
The City of London won the planning team award and LB Lambeth was the borough of the year. Schemes for Neasden Town Centre, Canning Town, Eden Dock and Brent Cross Town won awards.
Comments on the awards by London Forum’s members are welcome here.
E-petitions to Parliament
An e-petition is an online petition to the House of Commons or the Government, started by a member of the public on the e-petitions website.
The video below explains how e-petitions work, from starting a petition to what happens when it reaches 10,000 or 100,000 signatures.… Read more...
Green spaces protection
The Government wants to understand and identify the needs of dedicated, local community groups which champion and care for a parks and other open spaces and waterways.
If London Forum members carry out any of that work or know of local amenity groups that do so, there is an invitation to complete a green space survey which has been commissioned by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Housebuilding around train stations
Housebuilding near well-connected train stations will receive a default “yes” through a new National Planning Policy Framework, to be consulted on later in 2025. Details are here.
In addition, there is a set of changes to the Planning & Regeneration Bill, which the Government says is a “Pro-growth package unshackling Britain to get building”.
As part of it, Councils must inform Government when inclined to block applications of 150 homes or more. Ministers will make the decision instead.… Read more...
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
How to petition Parliament
Old Kent Road development – update
High Value Council Tax Surcharge
From Small Beginnings – The London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies
The first initiative to bring London-based amenity societies together as a federation was the brainchild of two prominent and environmentally-committed members of the Blackheath Society, Neil Rhind and Tony Aldous. Neil, whose expertise was on the history and social development of Blackheath, had been the Society’s press officer and later its President from 2016 to his death in 2023.
Tony, a journalist, wrote on environmental issues for The Times and The Independent. He published many books on environmental matters, one of which was “London Villages”.… Read more...
Most Popular This Week
-
How Effective is Planning Enforcement?
📆 Mon 29th June | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
How can we make it work better? Planning enforcement is important. Unless it’s done effectively, the integrity of the whole planning system is put at risk. But it’s one of the most frustrating issues for civic societies and local community groups. We’ll discuss this and related issues at this Open Meeting on 29th June. Please book here ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/how-effective-is-planning-enforcement#booking ) Cases typically include: Large developments that grossly fail to meet planning conditions or even submitted drawings and plans; Illegal demolitions; Unauthorised residential alterations and extensions; Additional floors…