Environment and Climate Archives | London Forum

Parks and Climate Change

London Forum — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:23 +0000

The Heritage Fund worked with Historic England to better understand how the climate crisis is affecting the UK’s natural heritage sites and the people that manage them.

As the first research of its kind, owners and managers of historic parks, gardens and cemeteries were asked how these 2,700+ registered heritage sites are coping and how they are being managed and maintained in response to climate challenges.

View Historic parks, gardens and cemeteries climate change executive summary
View Historic parks, gardens and cemeteries climate change full report

Mayor challenges Heathrow expansion

London Forum — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:00:58 +0000

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of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, claims the government’s case for increasing Heathrow Airport’s capacity relies heavily on outdated evidence from 2015.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 consultation.

Response to Heathrow Expansion Consultation

London Forum — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 08:11:46 +0000

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.

Our response is in the What we’ve said archive as usual.

Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter

London Forum — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:00:01 +0000

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 Extract to all local planning authorities and new guidance on using digital tools for site identification and assessment;
new Sustainable Drainage Systems resources, including national SuDS Strategy Templates and new training for planners; and
upcoming Green Infrastructure webinars, covering new evidence, mapping tools and practical support for planners and other practitioners.

Grants available for local projects

London Forum — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:00:23 +0000

The London Friends of Green Spaces Network has published a seven page document on the availability of grants for local authorities, resident groups and amenity societies. See the list here.

London Forum’s members are asked to forward details to organisations in their locality which may be eligible for the grants described.

How AI affects work in London

London Forum — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:00:50 +0000

According to Greater London Authority numbers, nearly half of London’s workforce, around 2.4 million people, are in roles where generative AI could automate a meaningful share of their tasks, with more than a million Londoners in highly or significantly exposed jobs.

A Task Force has investigated the issues and produced a report with recommendations on how they should be managed.

One of the proposals is a commitment to an annual State of AI and Work in London dashboard to track progress and recommend course corrections.

Clean Rivers and Waterways plan

London Forum — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:00:32 +0000

Sadiq Khan has launched a 10-year Clean Rivers and Waterways plan to transform London’s rivers, ridding them of pollution, making them safe and accessible for Londoners and ensuring nature and wildlife can thrive. The plan will focus on ten key locations across London where the restoration of blue and green spaces can deliver the fastest and widest benefits for Londoners.

The plan is intended to improve river health, restore wildlife habitats and make waterways swimmable where it is safe to do so,

Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter

London Forum — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 10:00:24 +0000

A newsletter by Chief Planner of MHCLG, Joanna Averley, was published to local authorities’ planning officers on 21st July 2026.

It draws attention to the final regulations on the national scheme of delegation of decisions on planning applications and planning committees which will come into force on 31 October 2026. Guidance on it was published to Local Authorities. London Forum objected to the changes as here.

Biodiversity Net Gain regulations from 6th August 2026 will introduce new exemptions.

Increased planning application fees will apply from 8th December 2026.