Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
A recent newsletter by Chief Planner, Joanna Averley, in MHCLG to local authorities’ planning officer is here.
It covers:-
- Design and Placemaking PPG out now for consultation
- Resetting the S106 system and roadmap for S106 delivery in England.
- Apply now for the 2026 Housing Design Awards.
- New guidance and tools by PAS to improve Infrastructure Delivery Plans.
- Working with National Highways to deliver a vision-led approach to Local Plans.
The consultation on the PPG runs until 10th March, the same date as the consultation on the draft new NPPF.
![Thermal leakage [Grosvenor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Grosvenor-heat-leakage-e1770820351445.jpg?resize=452%2C491&ssl=1)
Barriers to historic building retrofit
A New Grosvenor report warns that England’s three million listed buildings and conservation area homes are being trapped in cold, costly decline by an outdated planning system
Local authorities spend the equivalent of 4,000 working days a year approving low-risk energy efficiency works that are almost always consented anyway
Retrofitting listed properties and buildings in conservation areas in England and Wales could deliver around 30% of the annual emissions reductions needed to meet the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget.
Our new Resources page has some useful retrofit [more…]
Policy for Section 106 delivery
The Government has published a policy paper on providing a time-limited, simple, more transparent and more resilient S106 system.
It is intended to give greater clarity on standards S106 units must meet in a way that works for Registered Providers (RP), as thousands of constructed or consented affordable homes are currently uncontracted and unsold.
There are conditions and guidance in the paper for LPAs to renegotiate S106 agreements and allow the tenure of homes to be varied in order to secure a buyer.
Further updates are expected in Spring 2026. New [more…]
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…]
Managing consultation responses
LB Hounslow and Chesterfield BC tested new digital tools for managing consultation responses.
- Outcome: Hounslow reduced the time and cost of processing responses and improved consistency across consultations which freed up officer time for engagement and plan making.
- Scale and approach: Pilot project delivered by planning teams from both councils working jointly with an external supplier and supported by service designers.
- Technology used: The councils worked with Urban Intelligence to develop and test new response management features within the existing PlaceMaker platform.
Details are here.
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…]
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.
Nature Restoration Fund
The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is part of Part 3 the Planning and Infrastructure Act. It provides for Natural England to submit draft Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) to the Secretary of State. If the EDP is approved, this will allow developers to discharge their relevant responsibilities by paying a levy to meet environmental responsibilities relating to certain protected sites and species.
The Government has published a policy paper on implementing the NRF and DEFRA has issued a blog about it for [more…]
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.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
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.
...
Information for members
Within the 'Resources' page of the website, 'External Resources' provides links to news on London and on the ...
![BID's in London [image: LSE]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/BIDs.png?fit=1024%2C738&ssl=1)
What are BIDs doing for Town Centres in Central and Outer London?
Earlier this year, London Forum organised a very interesting open meeting with members about the state of London’s High Streets and the night-time economy. One of the presenters was [more…]
Most Popular This Week
Member News
-
Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 8th October | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
-
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://…