Measures to improve delivery of affordable housing in London
London Forum has responded to two consultations to boost house building, as follows.
A Government consultation on Emergency Measures for a temporary relief from the CIL and changes to Mayoral planning powers.
A GLA draft London Plan Guidance proposing time-limited changes to cycle parking, changes to housing design guidance and a time-limited planning route for the delivery of affordable housing.
London Forum believes neither [more…]
![London HRA [London Councils]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/London-HRA.jpg?resize=577%2C358&ssl=1)
Exceptional Financial Support
The Government has announced details of support granted to local authorities that have requested Exceptional Financial Support in financial year 2025-26.
It follows the evidence submitted by London Councils on behalf or London’s local authorities, as in London Forum’s update of 1st July 2025
Beneficiaries include the boroughs of Barnet, Croydon, Enfield, Haringey, Havering, Lambeth and Newham as here.
There is also a Government statutory intervention for LB Croydon.
![Pavement Parking [photo: gov.uk]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/s300_pavement-park.jpg?resize=300%2C195&ssl=1)
Pavement parking
There was a consultation on this subject, as the Government is taking forward a new approach to pavement parking for decisions being made closer to the communities affected.
The Government issued its interim proposals on the points made in 15,381 responses. It promises to bring forward a regulatory framework which is national in scope and local in implementation. The issue of rental e-bikes blocking pavements needs to be addressed as they cause an unnecessary obstruction of the pavement and restrict the movement of disabled pedestrians.
Statutory Consultees – consultation response
London Forum has responded as here to this consultation.
It is to be hoped important statutory consultees will be retained and that those consulted will respond quickly and fully to enable changes or prompt decisions within the time allowed. It is important they all receive funding sufficient to meet their statutory obligations.
TfL’s as a consultee is of critical importance.
If Historic England’s role is to be reduced, it must be ensured that LPAs are adequately resourced to fill the gap.
![Statutory consultees jigsaw - inspired by image by Markus Winkler [Unsplash] and made with AI](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Statutory_consultees.jpg?resize=320%2C202&ssl=1)
Statutory Consultees
Statutory consultees play an important role in the planning application process by providing expert advice on significant environmental, transport, safety, and heritage issues. There are currently 13 organisations that local planning authorities (LPAs) must consult about specialist issues when they receive relevant planning applications, from the Environment Agency and National Highways to Historic England.
Their role is very important, but there is widespread agreement that the system is not working well, causing needless duplication of effort and delays in making decisions. Hence the Government issued in November a [more…]
Road Safety Strategy
The Government issued consultations on Proposed Changes to Penalties for Motoring Offences, on Improving Moped and Motorcycle Training, Testing and Licensing, on Introducing a Minimum Learning Period for Learner Drivers and on a Road Safety Strategy.
The blood-alcohol limit is proposed to be reduced from 80mg per 100ml to 50mg (20mg for new drivers) as in Scotland. This is said to be equal to roughly a small glass of beer or of wine.
Views are sought up to the end of 31st March 2026.
Business Rates relief
The 2026 Supporting Small Business Relief (SSBR) scheme will cap bill increases at £800 per year or the relevant caps within transitional relief (whichever is the greatest) for any business losing eligibility for certain reliefs, including Small Business Rate Relief and 40% Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief at the 2026 revaluation.
The Government has issued guidance on Small Business Rates Relief.
For 2026/27 to 2028/29, the Government will reimburse local authorities that use their discretionary relief powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, to grant [more…]
Planning reform 2026
In a statement to Parliament, Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State MHCLG described the intentions of the Government to introduce twelve new policies in 2026 “to boost housing supply and unlock economic growth in the years ahead”.
He summarised actions taken in 2025, including publication of a draft replacement National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) on which a consultation runs until 10th March 2026, as reported in an update of 18th December 2025.
London Forum’s members should consider the proposed new NPPF and send [more…]
Contesting land or property
If you believe land or property is not needed and could be put to better economic use, then you can raise a challenge by submitting a Right to Contest application.
The application process has two strands:
- Strand 1: land owned by a central Government department and their arms length bodies
- Strand 2: land owned by a local authority or certain other public bodies
You’ll need to contact the relevant organisation when submitting the form. Details are on the application form.
Neighbourhood planning support
Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) can claim grants for the costs they incur in meeting their neighbourhood planning duties in 2025-26 (as introduced by the Localism Act 2011).
The window for completing and certifying claim forms is open until Friday 6 March 2026 and details are here.
For Neighbourhood plans not yet made, LPAs can claim £20,000 from when they issue a decision statement detailing their intention to send the plan to referendum. They can claim £5,000 for each of the first 5 neighbourhood forums they designate.
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Manual for Streets update
Environmental Outcomes Reports
Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
Household Projections and Housing Targets
The latest projections from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that between 2022 and 2032, the number of households in England is expected to grow from 23.5 million to 25.9 million, [more…]
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