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Mayor challenges Heathrow expansion
In a letter to the House of Commons Transport Committee the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, claims the government’s case for increasing Heathrow Airport’s capacity relies heavily on outdated evidence from 2015.
The Mayor and TfL have accused the government of relying on the 2015 report from the Airports Commission, which recommended a new runway be built, and have pointed out that the revised environmental tests do not provide sufficient reassurance that an expanded Heathrow can be delivered without serious environmental impacts.
Also see our response to the consultation.
AI for decision making
This week’s edition of LDN has useful information on the use of AI in decision making, the never-ending story of HS2 in London and a roundup of London’s politics and planning news.
London Forum suggests that member societies sign up to receive LDN weekly newsletters and to use their information in communications with members.
If you find the LDN updates useful, they welcome donations.
Response to Heathrow Expansion Consultation
The London Forum has submitted a highly critical response to the Government’s consultation on Heathrow expansion policy – link below.
The economic appraisal which forms part of the consultation shows that the relevant costs taken together, including environmental costs, greatly exceed the expected benefits. We cover many other issues in our response; but for that reason alone, we cannot support the draft policy statement.
You only have until 1st September to respond – our previous article has some useful guidance.
Our response is in the What we’ve said archive [more…]
Feedback required on draft London Plan
An update on 17th August 2026 asked for feedback on the ten Broad Locations for Growth (BLG) in the 2026 draft London Plan. See this article.
The draft plan has also a section on Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BFOAs).
Any LF member society with a BFOA in their area is asked to comment on its status, the indicative number of homes, its boundary, purpose and aims of the OA and any transport required.
For either or both, please comment by 15th September 2026 to planning@londonforum.org.uk
Accelerating housebuilding
The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Rt Hon Matthew Pennycook MP, wrote to mayors and leaders of local authorities about the government’s next phase of reforms to accelerate growth and housebuilding.
On 17 August 2026, the government published its response to the public consultation on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and announced wider measures to create a faster, more certain planning system.
The government has published the also recent Housing Delivery Test (HDT) results.
Relevant Planning Practice Guidance will be updated.
Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
The latest newsletter by Chief Planner of MHCLG, Joanna Averley, was published to local authorities’ planning officers on 18th August 2026.
It draws attention to
- the publication of the new National Planning Policy Framework, including the main changes following consultation as well as the government’s response to the consultation;
- reforms to the statutory consultee system, including changes to the roles and requirements of statutory consultees;
- publication of the 2024 and 2025 Housing Delivery Test results, alongside an updated Rule Book;
- new digital planning tools and guidance, including the rollout of Extract to all local planning authorities and new guidance on using [more…]
Grants available for local projects
The London Friends of Green Spaces Network has published a seven page document on the availability of grants for local authorities, resident groups and amenity societies. See the list here.
London Forum’s members are asked to forward details to organisations in their locality which may be eligible for the grants described.
Planning in London, Issue 138, Jul-Sep 2026
Issue 138 of Planning in London, the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been published, covering the period July-September 2026.
Contents:
- Housing, devolution & new towns — Burnham’s growth agenda, National Housing Bank.
- London’s office squeeze — shortage of prime workspace & economic impact.
- Olympia unveiled — Spparc & Heatherwick’s £1.3bn regeneration in Hammersmith.
- £9bn in unspent developer contributions — why S106 & CIL funds are stuck in council accounts.
- Planning policy & appeals — City Plan 2040 stalled, station-led development & rising appeal rates.
- High streets & city culture — placemaking, healthcare anchors & call for a [more…]
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.
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.