Housing Delivery Test failed in 9 boroughs
In the latest NPPF the Government changed rules on the annual Housing Delivery Test and nine London boroughs fell below achieving 75% of their target housing delivery pipeline. They are Barking (66%), Bromley (58%), Camden (53%), Greenwich (40%), Havering (61%), Kensington & Chelsea (60%), Lambeth (74%), Lewisham (32%), Newham (61%) and Richmond (60%).
Feedback is required from societies in those boroughs on the implications, what is happening on planning decisions which are now subject to a ‘presumption in favour‘ of housing and with the NPPF becoming the prime [more…]
Funds for LPAs
In the financial year 2025-26 the Government has agreed to provide Councils, as listed here, with support to manage financial pressures via its ‘Exceptional Financial Support (EFS)’ process. The cross-party group London Councils describes EFS as a “misnomer”, as increasing numbers of boroughs are relying on the emergency borrowing it facilitates and are burdened with further debts and servicing costs.
London Growth Plan
Developed by the Mayor of London and London Councils, the ‘London Growth Plan’, as detailed here, is described as a blueprint for turbocharging productivity in the capital. It aims to restore productivity growth to an average of two per cent a year over the next decade.
Night time economy
Sadiq Khan has launched a night-time economy taskforce following the departure in October 2024 of night czar Amy Lamé, after half of nightclubs closed during her eight years in the rôle. The Assembly has produced eighteen recommendations here for the night-time economy of which one is a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music venues.
LB Ealing’s use of AI
The Prime Minister held a reception at Downing Street for staff and Councillors of Ealing borough to celebrate their successful use of AI to help the Council’s adult social services team spend more time with the people it helps by slashing the amount of time staff spent on paperwork. See here.
Tall Building evidence
The London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee is investigating homes in London’s tall buildings and the impact of these buildings on the health and safety of residents. The Call for Evidence can be found here. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 4 March 2025.
The New London Plan: Shaping Housing for the Future
Many communities in London are concerned about future development that could change that character of their much-loved areas, whether by the scale, density or height of new building. This event will leave us all much better informed about the shape of the next ten years. Free for London Forum members, but booking is essential.
Using land value for new transport
The capital’s leading business campaign group BusinessLDN has produced a report on this subject here. It recommends building on the tax increment financing (TIF) model which allows borrowing against future increases in tax revenue resulting from infrastructure projects in order to finance transport schemes and calls on the Government to empower the GLA to do so.
Planning officers overwhelmed
An article by John Walker (ex planning Director at Westminster City Council) was published by New London Architecture (NLA) explaining how borough planning officers are overwhelmed by the complex planning system and the additional environmental factors to be considered for each application. They are under-resourced and lack the expertise for the new Government imposed obligations.
Putting up the national planning fees will not solve the resource problem in planning departments. [more…]
Connecting with nature
There is a short survey on Talk London asking what you think about London’s network of rivers, canals, docks, reservoirs, lakes and green and natural spaces. It will take about 10 minutes to complete and it will close on Sunday 16 February 2025.
You can sign up with Talk London here for opportunities to make input to GLA activities and discussions.
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Guidance for councils : Opening up access to planning information
London Forum has published Guidance for Councils on access to planning application information.
From 31st October 2026, the National ...
Rainwater management and SuDS
The Rainwater Management Platform (RMP) will transform The Sustainable Urban Drainage SuDS Manual (C753) into a free to access online ...
![Sewage in the Thames {Photo: Chiswick Calendar]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Sewage-in-the-river-Thames.jpg?fit=150%2C100&ssl=1)
Rebuilding trust in the water sector
The Independent Water Commission published its report with 88 recommendations on restoring public and investor confidence in the water sector ...
Draft London Plan response – linked policy by policy
The GLA’s consultation on the draft London Plan 2026 closed on 15 October 2026, London Forum submitted a 39-page response. This is the short version: the main points, then in 'Our Comments policy by policy', a one or two-line summary of key ...
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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://www.londonforum.org.uk/agm-papers/ ) Appointment of the Independent Examiner Election…
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Member Services Committee meeting
📅 Thu 3rd December | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room F3 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
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