Planning agreements for medium-sized sites
The Government has launched a consultation on a set of standard planning agreements for medium-sized housing sites. The proposals are intended to help streamline the negotiation of Section 106 agreements, provide greater certainty for local planning authorities and developers, and reduce the time and resources spent negotiating standard provisions.
Details are on page 3 of the latest newsletter to local authorities by Joanna Averley, MHCLG’s Chief Planner.
The Government thinks Section 106 agreements can secure affordable housing, despite the cross-subsidy model not achieving its aims recently.
Mayor challenges Heathrow expansion
In a letter to the House of Commons Transport Committee the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, claims the government’s case for increasing Heathrow Airport’s capacity relies heavily on outdated evidence from 2015.
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 [more…]
AI for decision making
This week’s edition of LDN has useful information on the use of AI in decision making, the never-ending story of HS2 in London and a roundup of London’s politics and planning news.
London Forum suggests that member societies sign up to receive LDN weekly newsletters and to use their information in communications with members.
If you find the LDN updates useful, they welcome donations.
Response to Heathrow Expansion Consultation
The London Forum has submitted a highly critical response to the Government’s consultation on Heathrow expansion policy – link below.
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.
Accelerating housebuilding
The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Rt Hon Matthew Pennycook MP, wrote to mayors and leaders of local authorities about the government’s next phase of reforms to accelerate growth and housebuilding.
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.
Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
The latest newsletter by Chief Planner of MHCLG, Joanna Averley, was published to local authorities’ planning officers on 18th August 2026.
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 [more…]
Planning in London, Issue 138, Jul-Sep 2026
Issue 138 of Planning in London, the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been published, covering the period July-September 2026.
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 [more…]
Digital site identification and assessment
The Government has published guidance to Local Authorities on how digital tools, including mapping platforms, site assessment tools and digital submission systems, can support the planning and development processes.
It does not replace professional planning judgement but helps with:-
- Using the Digital Planning Directory to find tools and suppliers
- Implementing digital tools
- Identifying potential sites
- Assessing sites identified
- Costs and benefits
- Risks to consider
- What Councils learned in the trials
The Government offers a short feedback form to help them to improve the guidance.
Land Remediation Relief
LRF is a 150% Corporation Tax relief aimed at incentivising the regeneration of brownfield land and reducing the pressure to develop greenfield sites.
Demolition at Belmont Wharf
The Friends of Regents Canal warn that the community centre and garden at Belmont Wharf are under threat. The garden has been carefully maintained for two decades, initially with full support from Tower Hamlets Council which ceased after the May elections. The community building designed by architect Julian Sofaer has style sympathetic to the canal and serves the community well but the council wants to demolish it. See photos here.
Please let others know that they could sign a petition against demolition here.
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Planning agreements for medium-sized sites
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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…]
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