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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 [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. The increase from there to the current [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. The video is [more…]
Grey Belt clarification
Following Peers’ inquiry into Labour’s ‘Grey Belt’ proposals, Lord Moylan wrote to Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP with sixteen questions. He commented “Our assessment is that the grey belt policy has been implemented in a somewhat rushed and incoherent manner. It is unlikely to have any significant or lasting impact on . . . achieving your target of 1.5 million new homes.” He pointed to a lack of a “sustainable location” definition.
Land use
The Government is consulting until 25th April 2025 for preparation of a Land Use Framework creating a toolkit to support decision making, “with England now one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.”
Funding for Local Plan delivery
The Government has announced new funding for preparation of Local Plans. Eligible local authorities are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 28 February 2025 to request a share of this funding. The eligibility criteria are set out here.
Blue roofs
Susdrain has produced Blue Roofs – A Guide to Implementation (C817D), a resource providing insights to help implementation of effective blue roof systems. There are many case studies and guidance documents for sustainable urban drainage on the Susdrain web site.
LB Ealing’s use of AI
The Prime Minister held a reception at Downing Street for staff and Councillors of Ealing borough to celebrate their successful use of AI to help the Council’s adult social services team spend more time with the people it helps by slashing the amount of time staff spent on paperwork. See here.