As the first research of its kind, owners and managers of historic parks, gardens and cemeteries were asked how these 2,700+ registered heritage sites are coping and how they are being managed and maintained in response to climate challenges.

View Historic parks, gardens and cemeteries climate change executive summary
View Historic parks, gardens and cemeteries climate change full report

Details of the new powers are here.

There will be a 20% cut to business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues across England from next year to help them – fully funded by reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution.

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.

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 as usual.

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.

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 digital tools for site identification and assessment;
• new Sustainable Drainage Systems resources, including national SuDS Strategy Templates and new training for planners; and
• upcoming Green Infrastructure webinars, covering new evidence, mapping tools and practical support for planners and other practitioners.

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 City of London cultural strategy.
• RIBA National Awards 2026 — London takes 17 of 32.
• Tourism & demographics — Middle East visitor impact & updated GLA population projections.

Our AI-generated summary is here.

The full journal is not available on our website, but selected excerpts are available on the PiL website. Below, London Forum has a subscription arrangement for members.

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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.