Statutory Consultee reform
The Government has issued a consultation until 13th January 2026 on reform of the statutory consultee system.
This consultation covers the following proposals:
- removing statutory consultee status from certain bodies
- reviewing the scope of what statutory consultees advise on
- improving performance management across existing statutory consultee bodies in the planning system
The value of UK’s UNESCO sites
Britain’s World Heritage UNESCO-designated sites cover 14% of the UK’s land area.
A study described here will pioneer new methodologies to understand their value not just in economic terms, but the wider value of local partnerships and collaboration. It should help communities defend the four World Heritage Sites in London by demonstrating their outstanding universal value for use in considering planning applications and other potential causes of harm.
A.R.S Progetti, leading the study, has worked across governance, cultural heritage, education, urban planning, and environmental management.
Public Notice Portal
Information for the public about planning, construction, transport links, roadworks and licensing changes are published in the local press. To help people access the notices, the news media sector has a Public Notice Portal.
It explains the types of notices available and a postcode can be entered to display their locations on a map. Clicking on them provides details. The portal offers customisable notifications for users who sign up.
Affordable housing 35% reduced
The Government and the Mayor aim to boost affordable housing supply by cutting the affordable housing target from 35% to 20%.
Building Design published comments on the policy. and Simon Ricketts anticipates its consultation.
Developers offering 20% affordable housing could see a temporary relief from community infrastructure levy.
The Mayor could be handed powers to ‘call in’ applications for his own determination and the GLA will consult on removing guidance that can constrain density, including dual aspect standards and cycle storage requirements.
Tall building proposed at Hogarth roundabout
The Old Chiswick Protection Society (OCPS), a London Forum member, is urging societies and anyone concerned about the future of Chiswick’s historic landscape to submit final objections to the Mayor on a planning application for a 10-storey residential block at 1 Burlington Lane, W4. Details were in an update on 17th September.
Submit your views to the GLA Planning Portal (P-2024-2610) here.
Historic England has formally objected to the scheme, citing harm to the setting of parks, listed buildings, conservation areas and protected views. Richmond and [more…]
![Nationally Significant Infrastructure People/Process [ Graphic: HMG ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Nationally-Significant-Infrastructure.jpg?resize=320%2C202&ssl=1)
Reducing infrastructure delays
The Government has issued a news story here on “backing the builders not the blockers”, explaining it will work with the judiciary to cut the amount of time it takes for a judicial review to move through the court system for nationally critical infrastructure projects.
HM Treasury and MHCLG are concerned the delays stunt economic growth by holding back development due to lack of utilities.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The progress of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been slow and just before the Report Stage of the Bill in the House of Lords, the Government put forward amendments to the Bill. One could prevent councils refusing planning permission and another would limit when Natural England should be involved in planning decisions. Richard Harwood KC has commented on some of the proposed amendments.
Planning in London, Issue 135, Oct-Dec 2025
Issue 135 of Planning in London, the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been released, covering the period October-December 2025. London Forum has an agreed subscription arrangement whereby our members may read it, but links are not available on this website.
Our AI-generated summary can be downloaded.
The full edition is not available on the website.
Construction Adviser appointed
A new interim Chief Construction Adviser, Thouria Istephan, was appointed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 30th September 2025.
MHCLG states that “Thouria will play a central role helping to shape the future of the built environment sector, ensuring that safety, delivery and accountability are central to decision-making, with residents’ voices at heart.”
Details are here.
Hogarth roundabout tall building
The ‘Chiswick Calendar’ website reports that residents are taking their objections to a proposed high development alongside Hogarth roundabout at 1 Burlington Lane to the Mayor. They claim it would harm Chiswick House and Grounds, Hogarth’s House, several conservation areas, local views and the Kew WHS Royal Botanical Gardens. Hounslow Council’s Planning Committee gave the development the go-ahead despite only 6% affordable housing.
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Chief Planner’s newsletter June 2026
Joanna Averley's latest newsletter to local authorities’ planning officers covers:-
Policy and Guidance Updates- New Plan-Making System Update
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The thicket of detailed standards thwarting housebuilding in London is not the answer
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Architects should rejoice that Britain’s latest new towns aren’t new towns at all
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