Updates

London Forum has updated its briefing to members on the content of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB) and has submitted proposals for amendments to the Bill Committee for consideration which the Government has published here.
The Mayor of London has submitted evidence to that committee.
The chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee, Clive Betts MP, wrote to the Secretary of State in DLUHC about the LURB with queries. Michael Gove’s response is here.
Following the July 2022 changes of Ministers in DLUHC, an article was published on the implications and the workload being [more…]

Sadiq Khan’s commitments were published here.

Place Aliance has issued a report ‘Appealing Design’ based on analysis of over 30 design based appeals following concerns about the approach of the Planning Inspectorate to design.
The report is supported and endorsed by Civic Voice, the RTPI, the Urban Design Group and Urban Design Learning.
There is an article about the way changes in 2021 to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) may have supported local authorities in refusing developments of poor design and adverse impacts.

The following articles have been published by Planning and their content could be useful for civic and community groups in engagement with their Council.
Summary of tall buildings report for 2022
Court decision provides guidance on Assets of Community Value
Court ruling gives councils scope to turn down upward extensions
High Court decision supports retaining ACV designation
EUV and AUV in viability assessments
Planning article on call-in of Oxford Street M&S store development
Ricketts M&S demolition piece
Minister refuses Article 4 Directions to block office PDR
Government report on permitted development applications
LPAs with most approvals and most refusals [more…]

There is a lot of information on the web site of the NLA for:-

• • Reports on past events held              

• • Videos on various subjects

• Details of NLA’s Expert Panels and Sounding Boards which contribute to a New London Agenda to develop a vision for London and influence City Hall in shaping the evolution of the next London Plan.

The Built Environment Committee of the House of Lords has commented on the Government’s response to its report on how to meet housing demand.

There is a video of a conversation Steve Quartermain, who was the Government’s Chief Planner, had with Alice Lester, Operational Director Regeneration, Growth and Employment at Brent Council.

An analysis of twenty developments across London has found Build-to-Rent homes could help more Londoners find affordable, high-quality accommodation.

Historic England (HE) has published an updated Tall Buildings Advice Note intended as a useful guide for all those involved with the planning and design of tall buildings.
HE publishes monthly planning bulletins which can be seen here. They provide details on recent and forthcoming developments in the world of planning from a heritage perspective. Notification of new editions can be requested by contacting governmentadvice@HistoricEngland.org.uk

The High Streets Task Force has published a report on ‘The Medium and Longer Term Viability of the High Street (post COVID-19)’. It follows their earlier report on creating resilient and revitalised high streets.

London Forum Insights issue 7 contained an article by Helen Warner on retrofitting homes.
The London Tenants Federation has made available a recording and presentation slides from a webinar it held on replacing gas boilers in homes which you can see here.
The APPG for London’s Planning and Built Environment held an event on retrofitting of London’s existing built fabric and a recording is here.

The government’s chief planner, Joanna Averley, in her latest newsletter to local authorities gives details on the Levelling Up White Paper, environmental screening of Neighbourhood Plans, permitted development rights for markets and movable structures, the bio-diversity net gain consultation and its implementation, fire safety matters for consideration at the application stage for relevant high-rise residential buildings, plus information about a new organisation called Active Travel England to support local authorities.