Planning Fees consultation response
We’ve responded to the government’s consultation on planning application fees.
While the proposal to set a National Default Fee Schedule at 90% of estimated costs is a step in the right direction, we argue that it’s too blunt an instrument. London’s planning costs are significantly higher than the national average — due to heritage requirements, high-density development complexity, and staffing costs — yet the consultation lacks transparency about how the funding shortfall is distributed across local planning authorities (LPAs). For each category there should be a [more…]
What’s happening in the Old Kent Road?
The Old Kent Road was designated by the Mayor in 2016 as an Opportunity Area.
It is the subject of two videos by Urban Design Learning which provides support to local authorities on design and examines development schemes.
In one video, Colin Wilson introduces Southwark Council’s Old Kent Road Action Plan. In another video he explains the issues in regeneration of an area with existing clusters of small businesses, some thriving, and the council’s ambition to add employment as well as housing.
Planning Committee Reforms: Stop the Attack on Local Democracy!
The London Forum has issued a scathing response to the Government’s recent consultation on Planning Committee reforms.
The proposals were branded as authoritarian and anti-democratic
Despite claims that these changes will focus committees on complex cases, the draft regulations actually prevent many significant, contentious applications from ever being seen by elected members.
Under the new “Schedule 1” and “Schedule 2” system, the overriding assumption is that almost all applications will be decided by officers. The Forum is particularly concerned that conservation areas have been excluded from special consideration, and that [more…]
Using AI in your Civic Society – Meeting Report & Videos
We held a lively interactive meeting on the subject of Artificial Intelligence on 30th April, which was recorded. Our first speaker, Richard Farthing, covered the background and some relevant uses, not only of well-known ‘chatbots’ such as ChatGPT, but also applications that use AI in the background, and real-world examples, particularly around planning. The second half was a full-on interactive session led by John Myers, who tested out several audience questions on live AI services, ranging from planning to creating images.
We naturally chose AI – in the [more…]
![Garden Court [ Photo: Kew Society ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Garden-Court-Kew.jpg?resize=344%2C258&ssl=1)
Tenants facing eviction in LB Richmond
Residents of a block of flats in Kew, many of whom are elderly or vulnerable, are facing eviction after the owner sold the block to Westminster council which has said it needs the building to be empty in order to house the growing number of homeless people in its borough.
Richmond Leader Gareth Roberts wrote to Westminster council, accusing them of showing “disturbing disregard for residents’ well-being” and having responsibility for the “displacement of an entire community”.
The sources of this story are TheLondoner and member Kew Society
Planning in London, Issue 137, April-June 2026
Issue 137 of Planning in London, the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been published, covering the period April-June 2026. London Forum has a subscription arrangement whereby our members may read it.
Our AI-generated summary can be downloaded.
Table of contents:
- The housing delivery crisis from multiple angles (Berkeley halting land buys, the 84% collapse in starts, viability evaporating across most of London)
- The new NPPF and what [more…]
Design Planning Practice Guidance
The consultation on a new design guidance ended in March 2026.
In a presentation to the Urban Design Group, reported by Building Design, David Rudlin considers what the guidance got right – and where it went wrong.
He is is founding principal of Rudlin & Co and visiting professor at Manchester School of Architecture and a co-author of High Street: How our town centres can bounce back from the retail crisis, published by RIBA Publishing.
Here is a summary of his views on the proposed Design PPG.
Cost-of-living crisis
In an article on the NLA website, Will Temple, Senior Associate Director at PRD, examines why economic growth alone will not resolve London’s cost-of-living crisis. Drawing on new analysis, he highlights the need to align housing and economic policy to improve living standards across the capital.
He gives many links in the article to other news and statistics to support his views.
![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.”
London Infrastructure Framework
With the next London Plan in development, London needs strategic priority infrastructure projects to deliver its economic, housing and resilience ambitions. The Mayor has published a London Infrastructure Framework (LIF) to translate the vision into delivery.
It includes a London Infrastructure Framework Explorer to provide a visual and interactive way to explore the projects featured in the LIF Portfolio. The tool enables users to identify where infrastructure schemes with the highest impact on London’s key outcomes are located, and the different economic sectors they relate [more…]
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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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