Densifying the suburbs
The next London Plan, with its much higher housing targets, will increase the pressure for higher densities in the suburbs. It could guide high-density housing / mixed-use development to high accessibility locations. The shape of the new strategy will be a key issue for the new London Plan.
Issues
- What is the vision? What should the strategy be? (Speaker: Prof. Tony Travers), and
- What would be needed to increase the density of the London suburbs? (Speaker: Ben Derbyshire)
How much should we focus on accessible locations – around stations and [more…]
New NPPF consultation
The Government issued a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework with a consultation until 10th March 2026. London Forum’s members are asked to consider the local implications of the proposed planning rules and to respond to the consultation. Specific concerns or recommendations can be notified to us.
There was a long debate in Parliament on the proposed new NPPF.
The lawyer Nicola Gooch has issued an NPPF briefing with additional links and Simon Ricketts has commented on the content of the new NPPF.
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”.
Planning changes for London and for Local Plans
Government Chief Planner, Joanna Averley, issued another update on producing Local Plans, and next steps regarding planning measures for London.
The Local Plan changes, as set out in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, are explained here. There is guidance for LPAs and a statement by Mathew Pennycook MP.
There are two consultations for London, one on temporary relief from CIL and another on removal of elements of LPG guidance that can constrain density.
London Forum’s members should respond to those and send a copy to [more…]
Chief Planner’s update
On 24th November 2025 Joanna Averley, the MHCLG Chief Planner, issued an update letter to planners in local authorities on speeding up development within walking distance of well-connected train and tram stations. See related Forum update of 26th November.
The update covered many other changes including Local Plans; LPA skills and resources; a new call-in when councils are likely to decline applications for 150 homes or more; removing the requirement for public inquiries for called-in applications; reducing statutory consultation and removing Sport England, The Gardens Trust and [more…]
![New London Architecture [NLA]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot-from-2025-11-21-21-46-00.png?resize=303%2C154&ssl=1)
NLA Award Winners
The NLA Awards 2025, honour the people, places and projects that show in their developments high quality design, positive social impact and environmental responsibility. The details are here.
The City of London won the planning team award and LB Lambeth was the borough of the year. Schemes for Neasden Town Centre, Canning Town, Eden Dock and Brent Cross Town won awards.
Comments on the awards by London Forum’s members are welcome here.
Social and Affordable Homes Programme to 2036
Following the Government’s announcement of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme covered by an earlier update here, the Government has issued a letter to Councils.
It includes details of what is expected from local authorities but it withdraws the new low-interest loans scheme from Councils.
The Minister, Mathew Pennycook MP wrote “I appreciate fully that this news will come as a disappointment. However, having carefully considered the fiscal implications of extending the scheme to councils as well as to registered providers, we reluctantly arrived at the conclusion that it [more…]
Land Value Capture
The HCLG Committee announced here their Land Value Capture (LVC) report. There is a summary of its 77 pages. The full report covers the scope for LVC, reform to S.106, reform to CIL and the 1.5m housing target. Recommendations are from page 61.
An Epilogue criticises the Government’s Homes for London policy (See an earlier update). The GLA said (page 59) it can result in inflated land values and slow down delivery and the Committee sent a letter to Steve Reed MP.
Homes for Londoners
The NLA produced a manual ‘Homes for Londoners’.
It aims to support delivery of more social rent homes. The study outlines six key actions with a proposal for a Homes for Londoners Impact Fund.
Details and the publication are here.
This initiative must be considered against the Government’s new National Housing Bank and reduction in 35% affordable homes target covered by an earlier London Forum update.
More homes in the City of London
Speakers at a London Society housing event argued the Square Mile could benefit with more people living there.
Charles Wright reported on the meeting in ON LONDON here.
The City’s leader, Chris Hayward, had said most of its housing stock was “in need of substantial regeneration” and there was a need to “build affordable housing for young City professionals”.
Barbican Residents Association chair Jan-Marc Petroschka called for identification of “stranded” offices suitable for conversion.
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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 ...
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.
...
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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