Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
A long newsletter by Chief Planner of MHCLG, Joanna Averley, was published to local authorities’ planning officers on 27th March 2026, covering:-
- Decision delegation,
- Emergency measures to support London housebuilding,
- Refundable deposit scheme for certain single-use drink containers,
- LPAs to set their own planning application fees,
- Government intervention if a LPA intends to refuse planning permission for a housing scheme of 150 dwellings or more,
- Regulations for new Local Plans to be submitted by 31 December 2026,
- The expedited appeals process,
- A Land Use Framework, and
- The Future Homes and Buildings Standards.
Peckham Vision message about National Housing Demonstration
On 16th March, London Forum issued an update about an 18th April National Housing Demonstration about the crisis of lack of social housing and secure affordable private rented accommodation, making it almost impossible for most people in London to get a decent home.
We have been asked by one of our members, Peckham Vision, to send London Forum members a plea for people to sign up to attend the event and receive notification of where it will be held.
The letter from Eileen Conn is here.
![Housing in London 2025 report - affordable housing starts [GLA]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Housing-in-London-2025-report-002-22_1.png?resize=1280%2C909&ssl=1)
Housing in London 2025
The most recent Housing in London report includes five thematic chapters:
- Demographic, economic and housing context
- Housing stock and supply
- Housing costs and affordability
- Housing needs, including homelessness and overcrowding
- Mobility and decent homes
A PDF version is available here, while the data for this and previous reports can be found on the London Datastore here.
Housing in London is the evidence base for developing the Mayor’s Housing Strategy and for London Plan housing policies.
It has graphs (1.2 and 1.3) of London’s population trend from 1801 to 2024.
Demo on affordable housing crisis
![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
Grants for social housing
MHCLG has announced new funding and financial flexibilities for Councils, housing associations, and other providers to accelerate social and affordable housebuilding. It comes ahead of a £39 billion bidding window for local authorities opening in March.
Landlords will also have to meet robust standards to provide homes that are free of disrepair and damp, warm and energy efficient through a new Decent Homes Standard (DHS). There will be new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards that could save social tenants hundreds of pounds every year on their energy bills.
Measures to improve delivery of affordable housing in London
London Forum has responded to two consultations to boost house building, as follows.
A Government consultation on Emergency Measures for a temporary relief from the CIL and changes to Mayoral planning powers.
A GLA draft London Plan Guidance proposing time-limited changes to cycle parking, changes to housing design guidance and a time-limited planning route for the delivery of affordable housing.
London Forum believes neither [more…]
A National Plan to End Homelessness
A strategy to tackle homelessness was presented to Parliament in December 2025 by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP.
He said “We’re building more social and affordable homes by a £39 billion investment and banning no-fault evictions. We’re investing in homelessness services to act early, supporting councils ensuring there’s join up between public services to prevent rather than just manage crises.”
The House of Commons Library has issued a report on temporary accommodation.
Hounslow Council Leader responds to criticism about finances
On 11th November 2025, London Forum published an update containing criticisms by LB Hounslow Councillors of the cost of the Council’s ‘Lampton Group’ and the loans made to it.
In the Chiswick Calendar online magazine, the local authority’s Leader, Shantanu Rajawat, has responded to those criticisms over Hounslow’s finances, as here. He explains how Hounslow’s finances are in “remarkably good shape”.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025 implementation roadmap
Further to London Forum’s recent update on the Renters’ Rights Act, the Government has published a roadmap with detail on how the reforms will be phased.
It will mean the end of fixed-term tenancies and the abolition of section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions from 1st May 2026. The six-month wait means landlords looking to exit the sector may sell up before then, forcing out tenants and indirectly pushing up rents in the process.
In late 2026 there will be a database of all PRS properties.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
![Manual for streets 2010 [CiHT]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/manua-for-streets-2-1-scaled-e1776252588896.jpg?fit=150%2C150&ssl=1)
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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