![Between skyscrapers and semis [GLA]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Between-skyscrapers-and-semis-REPORT01.jpg?resize=1191%2C1684&ssl=1)
Mid-Rise housing
London is missing out on the benefits of mid-rise housing, and clearer planning policy is needed, according to a new report from the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee published in March 2026.
Chair of the committee, James Small‑Edwards AM, said:
“Mid-rise housing offers the liveable, human‑scale density that residents want and that our city needs. Our recommendations set out practical steps to support higher-quality development, rebuild trust with communities, and ensure the next London Plan provides a stronger, more strategic approach to meeting London’s housing needs.”
![Crews Hill Station [Photo: Enfield Society]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Crews-Hill-station-1024x614-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C614&ssl=1)
New Towns consultation
On 23rd March 2026 the Government issued a consultation on the New Towns draft programme, including Crews Hill and Chase Park in LB Enfield and Thamesmead in LB Greenwich. The consultation ends on 19th May 2026.
Consultations were commenced also on fees for planning applications, the types of applications that may have to be referred to the Secretary of State and a policy paper on the implementation proposals for streamlining infrastructure planning.
In a blog by the lawyer Nicola Gooch of Birketts, links to those announcements are [more…]
![GSK House, Great West Road Brentford [photo: by Thomas Nugent]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GSK_House_Brentford_from_the_air.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Golden Mile development
Hounslow council has unveiled a £7.5bn masterplan to build up to 14,000 homes along a stretch of the Great West Road in west London.
Set to be built over the next 15 years, the Golden Mile London plan is aiming to position this part of the capital as a leading creative and tech innovation district.
The launch of the programme follows Hounslow council’s approval of Hadley Property Group’s redevelopment of the former GSK headquarters at 980 Great West Road.
The source of this story is Building Design.
Demo on affordable housing crisis
National Planning Policy Framework consultation response
We’ve responded to the December 2025 NPPF consultation, which closed on 12th March 2026. This substantial piece of work, contributed to by many subject matter experts, is posted in the ‘what we’ve said‘ archive as usual, and directly linked below for your convenience. It is now fully indexed for searching too.
We are critical of some of the new decision making policies.
![West London Orbital - proposed [Image: TfL]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/West-London-Orbital-TfL-1.jpg?resize=1280%2C1410&ssl=1)
West London Orbital
A post on the IanVisits website explains how the West London Orbital could run up to six trains an hour and provide ten new interchanges with rail and Underground services, alongside four new stations at Old Oak Common Lane, Neasden, Harlesden and Lionel Road, while some existing stations along the route would be upgraded to accommodate the new service. Funds have been allocated for the next stage of planning.
The project’s backers say the new rail link could support the construction of more than 25,000 homes and 11,500 jobs.
![Brent CLT Social housing [ image Bell Phillips Architects ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Bell-Phillips-Brent-CLT.jpg?resize=1100%2C1100&ssl=1)
Community housing in Brent 100% affordable
The Architects’ Journal published a report on a block of 19 social rent homes proposed by the non-profit, volunteer-run Brent Community Land Trust (CLT) for a site in Brentfield Road, Stonebridge, Brent. The 19-home scheme aims to give local people the “opportunity to remain in the neighbourhood”.
The plot for the scheme was identified in collaboration with Brent Council for the CLT’s Art Deco-inspired modernist housing block designed by Bell Phillips Architects, replacing a derelict site of garages. The application is to be determined in the spring
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.
Placemaking Guidance
The Government has opened to 10th March a consultation on a Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) supporting policies in Chapter 14 of the draft NPPF being consulted upon.
The draft PPG outlines and illustrates priorities for well-designed places and intends to make design guidance clearer, more accessible, and easier to apply in practice.
The National design guide, Design process and tools planning practice guidance and National Model Design Code are consolidated into the draft Design and Placemaking PPG.
The consultation document must be read before [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…]
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Manual for Streets update
Environmental Outcomes Reports
Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
Densifying the Suburbs – A presenter’s Insight
Our President, Ben Derbyshire, provides his Insights into our recent Densifying the Suburbs event.
I welcomed the invitation to speak at an [more…]
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