Planning in London, Issue 139, Oct-Dec 2026
Issue 139 of Planning in London (Oct-Dec 2026), the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been published.
Contents:
- The draft London Plan — 558,000 homes, Green Belt, densities, tall buildings
- The new NPPF — pro-development presumptions, station-led growth & viability
- Less say for councillors and communities? — the new scheme of delegation & front-loaded appeals
- Housing at a low ebb — record-low approvals, the Mayor’s City Hall Developer, and ideas for getting London building, including contributions by Dame Kate Barker (Spatial strategy) & Nicholas Boys [more…]
Community engagement in growth
London Forum’s President, Ben Derbyshire, has written an article on his conclusions from the work of the Historic Places Panel.
He wrote that, as he comes to the end of his term as chair of that panel, it is an apposite moment for him to share the panel’s views on the Prime Minister’s call for “growth in every postcode.”
Ben will be talking about this subject at the AGM on 28th October
You can read the full article here.
![EV charger [photo: unsplash]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/EV-charger-unsplash.jpg?resize=1280%2C853&ssl=1)
Home electric vehicle charging
On 21 October 2026 the GPDO (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2026 will extend Part 2, Classes D and E, to any part of the curtilage of a house or block of flats to allow an electric charging socket on the front wall.
Where a footway lies between the charger and the car, the cable must cross under it through an authorised cross-pavement channel. A new Part 9, Class F lets highway authorities install those channels but that requires planning permission.
Many boroughs have already fitted electric vehicle charging points into [more…]
![Greenwich Park, London [Photo: Pexels]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Greenwich-Park-London-Pexels.jpg?resize=1280%2C853&ssl=1)
Parks and Climate Change
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
Grants available for local projects
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.
The GLC legacy – 40 Years On
There will be a conference on 31st October 2026 on Designing London: The Landscape Legacy of the Greater London Council, 40 Years On.
Here are details and a link to tickets.
The event marks the GLC’s demise by critically reassessing its role in landscape architecture, urban design, and public policy.
Tim Catchpole will talk on the GLC’s urban landscape plan: where best to locate tall buildings.
London Form’s members are asked to broadcast details of this event at which fascinating London planning history will be explored.
Historic buildings for homes
Evidence suggests 670,000 homes could be created through the reuse of vacant or under-used historic buildings.
The CMS Committee published a report with recommendations include planning reform, improved funding and investment in heritage skills.
A response by the Government is expected after Parliament reconvenes.
The name of the DCMS is changing to Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
SAVE has written to Secretaries of State for Housing and Energy making the case for reusing historic buildings to tackle some of our most pressing issues.
Demolition at Belmont Wharf
The Friends of Regents Canal warn that the community centre and garden at Belmont Wharf are under threat. The garden has been carefully maintained for two decades, initially with full support from Tower Hamlets Council which ceased after the May elections. The community building designed by architect Julian Sofaer has style sympathetic to the canal and serves the community well but the council wants to demolish it. See photos here.
Please let others know that they could sign a petition against demolition here.
Modular construction in Old Kent Road
Urban Design Learning (UDL) has published another video in their series on development in the Old Kent Road Action Plan area.
In it, Colin Wilson looks at a pair of recent buildings in the Opportunity Area, one student housing, one mixed use, and discusses detailing, how new development relates to the local industrial heritage, and modular vs traditional construction methods.
Here is a link to the video and earlier ones.
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
- Compulsory Purchase
- National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Decisions
- Department for Transport: forthcoming cost recovery regulations
- Active Travel England: new statutory role in local plans and supplementary plans
- Historic England Good Practice Guide on archaeology and solar farms
- Neighbourhood Planning Guidance and Toolkits
Funding Opportunities, Research and Events
- Demolition or retrofit?
- NSIP Innovation and Capacity Fund
- Update on Planning recruitment
- MHCLG Planning Skills and Capacity Survey
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
![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 ...
Planning in London, Issue 139, Oct-Dec 2026
Issue 139 of Planning in London (Oct-Dec 2026), the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been published.
...
Community engagement in growth
London Forum's President, Ben Derbyshire, has written an article on his conclusions from the work of the Historic Places Panel.
...
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://…
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