London Forum

Historic buildings for homes

London Forum — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:00:09 +0000

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.

How AI affects work in London

London Forum — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:00:50 +0000

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

London Forum — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:00:31 +0000

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

London Forum — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:00:32 +0000

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

London Forum — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:00:04 +0000

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

London Forum — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:00:02 +0000

The government is consulting on reforms to make Land Remediation Relief (LRF) more accessible, better targeted, and more closely aligned with the practical realities of brownfield development.

LRF is a 150% Corporation Tax relief aimed at incentivising the regeneration of brownfield land and reducing the pressure to develop greenfield sites.

The consultation seeks views on changes to the timing of the relief, aligning eligible contamination expenses with planning processes, and how to define and provide relief for long-term derelict land.… Read more...

Demolition at Belmont Wharf

London Forum — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:00:54 +0000

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.

Jubilee Park

London Forum — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:00:50 +0000

Jubilee Park in Canary Wharf sits on top of the spectacular tube station and is surrounded by high office buildings, which would make many people assume that it’s a bad place to grow trees.

In this video made by UDL, James Lord explains why that isn’t the case and that trees need less depth of soil than you might think. He reflects also on the downsides of a precious green space becoming popular, and why it couldn’t remain as one of Canary Wharf’s only leafy spots.