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.
Home energy ratings
There is a consultation to 26Feb2025 on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime to provide a system which provides homeowners and tenants with accurate information about the energy performance of their homes to allow them to make informed investment and purchase decisions. Also, to reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty, improving decency and the Warm Homes Plan.
Chief Planner’s newsletter Feb2025
Joanna Averley, the DHCLG Chief Planner, issued a newsletter on 11th February 2025. It covers a survey of local authority capacity and capability, corrections to the NPPF, the Land Use Framework consultation, fast-food outlets, compulsory purchase process and land compensation consultation, the duty to consult on felling of street trees and noise from new development.
Reforms to planning
The Government has announced here plans to speed up housing delivery and approval of infrastructure projects. Related DHCLG working papers were issued in December 2024. A Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be published “in the Spring”.
Chief Planner’s newsletter to LPAs December 2024
Joanna Averley, the DHCLG Chief Planner, issued another newsletter on 19th December 2024 to local authorities requiring them to update their brownfield land register for 2024 by 31st December.
It seeks their views on a Development and Nature Recovery Working Paper, proposing developers pay into a ‘Nature Restoration Fund’. Also LPAs are asked to complete an online survey on a Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework. There is an explanation of the Government’s approach by the lawyer Nicola Gooch here.
An updated Criteria Document for improving planning performance for speed [more…]
Government Plan for Change
The Labour Government confirmed in July 2024 its five missions from its manifesto and its first six steps for change. A December 2024 Plan for Change sets “clear, measurable milestones” for each of the missions and the Prime Minister gave a speech to explain it. One milestone is building 1.5 million homes in England and fast-tracking planning decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects.
To support its aims, the Government has published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to drive local planning [more…]
£3 billion housebuilding scheme
Three billion pounds in guarantees will be made available by Government to help builders apply for more accessible loans from banks and lenders. It is part of a new package confirmed by the Housing Minister and covers support to SME housebuilders for them to deliver over 20,000 new homes including specialised housing for older people.
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West London Orbital overground
TfL is making plans for a new rail service on existing, underused rail lines in west London - this would ...
Planning Resources Are Stretched Thin
According to research by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) nine in ten local authority planning departments in England and Wales ...
Presentation slides: Will the London Plan deliver the housing and places London needs?
The slides from last week's London Forum/GLA event on the draft London Plan have been added to its event page.
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Key policies in the NPPF
The following is a blog recently written by the lawyer Simon Ricketts which is intended to help developers to get a planning application approved. It is helpful for London Forum's members to understand parts of the new NPPF and for considering its ...
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Member News
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 8th October | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
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Annual General Meeting 2026
📆 Wed 28th October | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
Wednesday 28 October 6.30pm at The Gallery, 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL Notice is hereby given to member societies of the 2026 AGM of the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies. Doors open for networking, drinks and nibbles from 6.00pm. Please book your place(s) using the booking facility ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/agm-2026#booking ). Agenda Welcome and Introduction Approval of the Minutes of the AGM of 16 October 2025, available here ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/agm-papers/ ) Chair’s Report – Chair Michael Jubb Financial Report – Treasurer Ali Dezyanian Approval of the Annual Report and Accounts for 2025-2026, available here ( https://…