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Matters that specifically affect member societies, posts about resources designed to help societies, or member-contributed material.
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.
More information for members
We have made available three additional links to information in our website Resources facility in the ‘Other’ section.
They are to blogs by healthcare and urban planning advocate, Clare Delmar and to Urban Design Learning for their guides on design codes, design reviews and best practice, together with videos of site visits and recommendations on green infrastructure. We also added a link to Westminster’s ‘Weather Ready Homes’ advice.
There are now several retrofit resources on the page, including more than one from Historic England, and two regularly mentioned member-curated [more…]
Community funding
The Government has announced the next wave of the Common Ground Award for community organisations across England which provides up to £2.5m for projects, groups and organisations bringing people together, transforming their community and strengthening relationships in their area by creating and developing welcome local spaces.
Projects will receive cash to improve the spaces and equipment people rely on to meet, mix and feel part of their community.
Here is the link to apply for the Common Ground Award for 2026-27.
West London Orbital overground
TfL is making plans for a new rail service on existing, underused rail lines in west London – this would become part of the London Overground network. The West London Orbital rail service would run between Hendon in north London towards Hounslow in southwest London.
A new station at Lionel Road will serve Brentford football stadium and relieve pressure on nearby stations.
The consultation runs until 18th November 2026, as here
Members near the stations are asked to respond and copy London Forum at planning@londonforum.org.uk.
Information for members
Within the ‘Resources‘ page of the website, ‘External Resources‘ provides links to news on London and on the activities of the Government and the GLA. Societies and London Plan team members can subscribe to several of these for periodic updates.
A new link to the Planning Portal has been added which is well worth monitoring regularly for news on proposals of Government and changes that they have implemented. The list of topics that you can read about [more…]
Digital site identification and assessment
The Government has published guidance to Local Authorities on how digital tools, including mapping platforms, site assessment tools and digital submission systems, can support the planning and development processes.
It does not replace professional planning judgement but helps with:-
- Using the Digital Planning Directory to find tools and suppliers
- Implementing digital tools
- Identifying potential sites
- Assessing sites identified
- Costs and benefits
- Risks to consider
- What Councils learned in the trials
The Government offers a short feedback form to help them to improve the guidance.
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.
Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
A newsletter by Chief Planner of MHCLG, Joanna Averley, was published to local authorities’ planning officers on 21st July 2026.
It draws attention to the final regulations on the national scheme of delegation of decisions on planning applications and planning committees which will come into force on 31 October 2026. Guidance on it was published to Local Authorities. London Forum objected to the changes as here.
Biodiversity Net Gain regulations from 6th August 2026 will introduce new exemptions.
Increased planning application fees will apply from 8th December 2026.
The Role of Civic Societies in London’s Planning and Development
What role do civic societies really play in shaping London? Are they powerful defenders of local communities, or are they unfairly blamed for blocking the homes and infrastructure the capital desperately needs?
In an episode here of Talk About London by The London Society, Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill are joined by architect and former RIBA President Ben Derbyshire, London Forum’s President, to explore the history, purpose and future of London’s civic societies.
Clarification of CIL on home extensions and build
Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, wrote a letter to all local authorities on how Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) should be applied to large home extensions and self-build.
Due to procedural errors and confusion about the 2014 process, some householders have failed to obtain an exemption. The Government is to consult on amendments to the CIL Regulations to deal with the issues. It provides clarity to local authorities over their existing discretion to take action as they see appropriate in specific cases.
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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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