![Nationally Significant Infrastructure People/Process [ Graphic: HMG ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Nationally-Significant-Infrastructure.jpg?resize=320%2C202&ssl=1)
Reducing infrastructure delays
The Government has issued a news story here on “backing the builders not the blockers”, explaining it will work with the judiciary to cut the amount of time it takes for a judicial review to move through the court system for nationally critical infrastructure projects.
HM Treasury and MHCLG are concerned the delays stunt economic growth by holding back development due to lack of utilities.
Chief Planner’s update
On 7th October Joanna Averley, the MHCLG Chief Planner issued an update letter to planners in local authorities on 2025 Housing Design Awards, New Towns (two in London), consultation on infrastructure planning reforms and flood risk assessment. MHCLG has published its response to the compulsory purchase consultation.
London Forum members should consider the content of the letter and review implications with their Council.
Consultation for next London Plan
The GLA has published an ‘Easy Read’ version here of an earlier ‘Towards a New London Plan‘. It explains the need to deliver more homes and related problems. The consultation seeks views on that and various options for land use, jobs, environment and cultural facilities. London Forum’s members should consider responding by the closing date of 2nd November 2025 to influence the content of the draft replacement London Plan due in 2026.
Access to Green Space
CPRE (London) will run a live-stream event on Thursday 25th September 2025 on Inequality in Access to Green Space in London. Tickets are free.
Moped kills cyclist
The Standard reports a cyclist in Hammersmith’s part-segregated Cycleway 9 was hit by a moped and died. LCC CEO Tom Fyans criticised the cycleway design which allows mopeds to enter it.
This is the sixth cyclist death this year and TfL is raising awareness of Highway Code rules.
An illegal e-bike boom article in the Guardian reported some of them capable of 70mph.
London Population’s Projected Growth: Patterns Across Boroughs
This is the second in a series of articles on London’s population, making use of the Office of National Statistics’ latest growth projections, published recently here. The focus is on variations across both inner and outer London boroughs.
Context: London and the rest of the country
London currently has a population of around 9.1 million, representing 15% of the total population of England and Wales. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has published its latest projections which show that London’s population is expected to have grown by 6.7% [more…]
Funding for Councils
London Councils, representing all local authorities in London, is urging the government to ensure its Fair Funding Review 2.0 proposals distribute funding to local authorities fairly and efficiently on the basis of need. London Councils’ analysis here highlights serious issues within the Government’s proposals that risk dramatically underestimating levels of need for local services in London.
London Councils is calling for a more accurate approach to assessing local levels of need, which is key to ensuring available resource matches need, sustaining hard-pressed local [more…]
HS2 update
The Government has issued its second High Speed Two (HS2) update to Parliament.
The tunnel for HS2 into Oak Oak Common station was completed at the end of June 2025.
There are integrated plans for the Euston station campus alongside significant levels of local development, now the tunnel into there for HS2 will commence in Spring 2026. A Euston Delivery Company will be set up.
The Government is considering funding by private finance, development receipts, and potential local contributions such as tax increment financing, with a degree [more…]
Open Spaces Society 160th anniversary
The Open Spaces Society was founded in 1865 and has played a part in many victories since then in saving commons, green spaces, and public paths for all to enjoy. They offer help when any of those are under threat.
The successes in which they have been involved include Hampstead Heath, Wandsworth Common, Wimbledon Common, Clapham Common and others on their website here.
TravelWatch 25th anniversary
London TravelWatch, the independent watchdog for the capital’s transport users, is marking 25 years with the launch of a brand new podcast, Talking Transport.
You can sign up for their newsletter.
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How to petition Parliament
Old Kent Road development – update
High Value Council Tax Surcharge
Architects should rejoice that Britain’s latest new towns aren’t new towns at all
By Ben Derbyshire, chair at HTA Design, former RIBA president, and President of the London Forum.
I don’t generally play for laughs, but [more…]
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How Effective is Planning Enforcement?
📆 Mon 29th June | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
How can we make it work better? Planning enforcement is important. Unless it’s done effectively, the integrity of the whole planning system is put at risk. But it’s one of the most frustrating issues for civic societies and local community groups. We’ll discuss this and related issues at this Open Meeting on 29th June. Please book here ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/how-effective-is-planning-enforcement#booking ) Cases typically include: Large developments that grossly fail to meet planning conditions or even submitted drawings and plans; Illegal demolitions; Unauthorised residential alterations and extensions; Additional floors…