Open Spaces Society 160th anniversary
The Open Spaces Society was founded in 1865 and has played a part in many victories since then in saving commons, green spaces, and public paths for all to enjoy. They offer help when any of those are under threat.
The successes in which they have been involved include Hampstead Heath, Wandsworth Common, Wimbledon Common, Clapham Common and others on their website here.
Planning Committees
The London Forum strongly opposes the Government’s proposals, which would forbid planning committees from considering any planning application that the Government defines as ‘minor’ or ‘technical in nature’.
Most such developments are already determined by officers under local schemes of delegation. But the Government’s proposals will allow for no exceptions. Even where small developments raise important issues relating to listed buildings or parks, or harm to conservation areas (which are not even mentioned in the proposals), decisions will be made in private by officers, rather than in public by elected councillors.… Read more...
Building fire safety
Following the report on the Grenfell Tower fire, a Building Control Independent Panel was established to consider the recommendations. It has issued an update on problems identified and its future work.
For dealing with unsafe cladding, the Government has published a Remediation Acceleration Action Plan update. For social housing, there is a new deadline.
Fires have occurred in buildings at the New Providence Wharf, as reported by ‘TheLondoner’.
TravelWatch 25th anniversary
London TravelWatch, the independent watchdog for the capital’s transport users, is marking 25 years with the launch of a brand new podcast, Talking Transport.
You can sign up for their newsletter.
Chief Planner’s update
On 8th July 2025 Joanna Averley, the MHCLG Chief Planner (pictured) issued an update to local authorities on
- Planning and Infrastructure Bill progress;
- AI technology to assist LPA planners;
- A faster and more efficient planning appeals process
- Biodiversity Net Gain consultations by DEFRA
- A new national standard for sustainable urban drainage
- A tool which will enable plan-makers and decision-takers to locate development in the most sustainable locations and plan for the transport infrastructure required to support it, and
- An opportunity to share your views on Natural England’s Ancient Woodland Standing Advice
Phantom Buses
We have all suffered frustrations waiting at a bus stop for a bus that the Countdown screen or our phone app says is due in three minutes, but takes much longer than that to arrive. We can usually put that down to traffic congestion, road works, etc.
But over the past few months, many of us have had the welcome experience of our bus suddenly arriving unannounced. It sets you up for the day. But how does the Countdown system lose TfL’s buses?… Read more...
Royal Parks Police Disbanded
This article first appeared in The Greenwich Society newsletter
The Greenwich Society is very sorry to see the disbanding of the Royal Parks Police across London. At the last Safer Parks Panel meeting in April, Nick McLaughlin, Inspector of the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit, chaired this meeting and gave an update on the future of the Royal Parks Police and the dedicated police unit within Greenwich Park. A Police crime report for the last quarter was not presented to the meeting.… Read more...
Healthy Streets
The 2025 results for the Healthy Streets Scorecard for London boroughs have been published.
In its Results Overview, which shows the scores for each borough, the report states “Rising star Newham leaps five places in 2025 and receives special Most Improved Borough award. Accolades also go to overall winner City of London, best Inner London borough Islington, and best Outer London borough Waltham Forest.”
The indicators cover traffic-free School Streets, roads with a 20mph speed limit, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, Controlled Parking Zones, Cycle tracks, and Bus priority.… Read more...
Social housing fund
The Government has announced an allocation of £11.7 billion to the GLA over ten years for the delivery of additional social and affordable housing with a minimum of 60% as Social Rent. The programme will support some regeneration schemes that provide a net increase in homes on a site. Five steps to a decade of renewal are explained in the policy paper, including for rents, borrowing costs, building safety, skills and capabilities.
Consultations on a new Decent Homes Standard and on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards are open until September 2025.
Streetlink for rough sleeping
Further to last week’s update on rough sleeping, there is a website Streetlink that anyone can use to seek help for someone sleeping rough.
APCOA Civil Environmental Enforcement Officers working in partnership with Ealing and Hounslow Councils, will be able to connect people sleeping rough with local support by using an app installed on their handheld devices. Officers will be able to pinpoint the exact location where a person has been seen sleeping rough and provide a brief description to help support teams recognise and assist the individual.… Read more...
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Making Social Rent Homes viable
Noise Action Week 11th to 15th May 2026
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Member Services Committee meeting
📅 Thu 7th May | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 11th June | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)