Modular construction in Old Kent Road
Urban Design Learning (UDL) has published another video in their series on development in the Old Kent Road Action Plan area.
In it, Colin Wilson looks at a pair of recent buildings in the Opportunity Area, one student housing, one mixed use, and discusses detailing, how new development relates to the local industrial heritage, and modular vs traditional construction methods.
Here is a link to the video and earlier ones.
Action on extreme heat
The GLA has issued a Heat Ready London report.
The Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee has pushed the Government on action to tackle the “silent killer” of extreme heat.
In a letter he asks the Government how it plans to tackle overheating in hospitals, care homes, schools and prisons, as well as measures such as establishing maximum workplace temperatures, prescribing active cooling such as air conditioning, changing school timetables and ensuring new housing is resilient to future heat. Details are in this article June [more…]
Is architecture in crisis?
Martyn Evans in an article published in Building Design writes “There is a growing sense among younger architects that the profession they trained so hard to join may not offer a viable long-term career. Institutions like RIBA must step forward to challenge the norms that have led us here”.
He points out that architects are often asked to redraw, rework and rethink schemes multiple times as funding assumptions by developers shift or costs rise. However, fees rarely stay at the same level as the original job.
Single Construction Regulator
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report recommended a single regulator that draws together functions relating to the construction industry.
There is a Government consultation on a Single Construction Regulator until 20th March 2026.
Survey of UK investors
Investec published in November its 2025 Future Living report. It highlights the investment sector’s resilience when facing problems of regulation and economic policy hampering near-term prospects. Those include the impact of the Building Safety Act and the Renters’ Right Act on investment decisions.
The survey was of 50 global institutional investors in UK real estate representing £300 billion assets under management. The results highlight the asset classes most affected and the ways in which investors and developers are adapting.
Hounslow Council’s £240m gamble
A Conservative Councillor in LB Hounslow has challenged its Cabinet on the way in which the Council’s wholly owned company, the Lampton Group, has made £15 million in losses and has been loaned hundreds of millions by the local authority. He says it is leaving taxpayers exposed to mounting financial risk.
Councillor Jack Emsley’s report on this subject was published in a blog in The Chiswick Calendar website
Construction Adviser appointed
A new interim Chief Construction Adviser, Thouria Istephan, was appointed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 30th September 2025.
MHCLG states that “Thouria will play a central role helping to shape the future of the built environment sector, ensuring that safety, delivery and accountability are central to decision-making, with residents’ voices at heart.”
Details are here.
Building fire safety
Following the report on the Grenfell Tower fire, a Building Control Independent Panel was established to consider the recommendations. It has issued an update on problems identified and its future work.
For dealing with unsafe cladding, the Government has published a Remediation Acceleration Action Plan update. For social housing, there is a new deadline.
Fires have occurred in buildings at the New Providence Wharf, as reported by ‘TheLondoner’.
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Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
A newsletter by Chief Planner of MHCLG, Joanna Averley, was published to local authorities’ planning officers on 21st July 2026.
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The Role of Civic Societies in London’s Planning and Development
What role do civic societies really play in shaping London? Are they powerful defenders of local communities, or are they ...
Healthy Street Scorecard 2026
The annual results have been published by CPRE (London) for the Healthy Streets scores by borough.
Visit their website to ...
Garden Annexe, Caravan, or Mobile Home?
Tim Catchpole of the Mortlake and East Sheen Society writes…
Our Society has had a recent experience which we would like to share with other London Forum members who may [more…]
Most Popular This Week
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Member Services Committee meeting
📅 Thu 6th August | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room F3 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 13th August | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
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Summer drinks party at Cowcross Street
📆 Mon 24th August | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
The annual summer drinks party for London Forum’s members will be held at the Alan Baxter office building at Cowcross Street. Please do come along and join Trustees and committee members for drinks and nibbles on Monday 24 August from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and meet fellow activists from other member societies across London. This is a free event for a maximum of two people per society – please use the booking facility ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/summer-drinks-party-at-cowcross-street-2026/#booking ) to secure your place(s). If the weather is kind we should be able to spill…