Slow build-out rates
According to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) here, the government should explore measures to tackle “unproductive land speculation” and slow build-out rates by developers of permitted residential sites, rather than blaming the planning system and ‘red tape’ for the housing crisis.
Local Plan changes
Decisions by councils on new development will be clearer, simpler, and prepared up to four years faster, according to a planning overhaul announced by DHCLG. New changes include introducing regular assessments to help councils stay on track towards meeting their targets, greater clarity about how Local Plans should be prepared and updated, and using digital tools to increase transparency on available land for new development.
Drop in school places demand
A new report by London Councils has revealed London boroughs are supporting local schools as demand for school places continues to drop across the capital. It suggests a predicted decrease of 3.6% in reception pupil numbers in London over the next four years.
Housing Delivery Test failed in 9 boroughs
In the latest NPPF the Government changed rules on the annual Housing Delivery Test and nine London boroughs fell below achieving 75% of their target housing delivery pipeline. They are Barking (66%), Bromley (58%), Camden (53%), Greenwich (40%), Havering (61%), Kensington & Chelsea (60%), Lambeth (74%), Lewisham (32%), Newham (61%) and Richmond (60%).
Feedback is required from societies in those boroughs on the implications, what is happening on planning decisions which are now subject to a ‘presumption in favour‘ of housing and with the NPPF becoming the prime policy consideration for applications.… Read more...
Funds for LPAs
In the financial year 2025-26 the Government has agreed to provide Councils, as listed here, with support to manage financial pressures via its ‘Exceptional Financial Support (EFS)’ process. The cross-party group London Councils describes EFS as a “misnomer”, as increasing numbers of boroughs are relying on the emergency borrowing it facilitates and are burdened with further debts and servicing costs.
London Growth Plan
Developed by the Mayor of London and London Councils, the ‘London Growth Plan’, as detailed here, is described as a blueprint for turbocharging productivity in the capital. It aims to restore productivity growth to an average of two per cent a year over the next decade.
Home accessibility
Inclusion London and many other organisations wrote to the Government to seek action on the chronic shortage of accessible and affordable homes. They claim accessible homes will increase people’s choice and control, reduce dependency on care, lessen the risk of being hospitalised and overstaying beyond discharge dates. The NHS offers advice for housing options for older people.
Night time economy
Sadiq Khan has launched a night-time economy taskforce following the departure in October 2024 of night czar Amy Lamé, after half of nightclubs closed during her eight years in the rôle. The Assembly has produced eighteen recommendations here for the night-time economy of which one is a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music venues.
Inflation Rates
The CPI has just been published, and the usual nonsense about “inflation going up” has followed. In twelve months the index has risen from 131.5 to 135.4, i.e. 3% up from 2.5% last month.
However, the index in December 2023 was 132.2 and the 2.5% took it to 135.6 last month. If this increase of 3.4 points were evenly spread over the year, that would be 0.28 per month and if we add that to the December 2023 figure we get 132.48. … Read more...
Friary Park update
Residents in LB Ealing are opposed to development of an area called Friary Park because buildings are excessively tall, contrary to borough planning policies, and are being sold off-plan in other countries. An earlier video on this was posted here.
It has now emerged that the developer has amended their plans, resulting in significant reduction in the provision of the number of social housing homes. A second video has been produced by local people with an appeal to their Council not to let it happen.… Read more...
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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)