Website search improvements
We’ve long had an effective search facility on the website for current news, Insights, events and other pages. Last week there was an opportune moment to invest in an important additional feature to support our institutional knowledge: Search for our archive of several hundred pdf files
This is significant, in that the entire archive is now indexed and searchable, most notably ‘What We’ve said‘ since 2011, all reports and pdf attachments, plus historic editions of Insights and NewsForum.
If you’re researching particular subject in our [more…]
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform
This is a reminder of the opportunity until 31st March to respond to a call for evidence of the experience of those living in leasehold and commonhold properties who pay private estate charges. See the update of 5th February.
London Forum members are urged to let their own members know of this chance to influence legislation in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Bill by submitting experience and commenting on whether or not the proposed legislation will be effective.
The survey is here.
![Help [ Image http://www.freepik.com ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Help.jpg?resize=1000%2C600&ssl=1)
Can you help ?
The Forum’s Membership Services Committee (MSC) is looking for volunteers to help with activities, including organising events, producing news and Insights editorial, and communicating with the membership. Is this you? Please contact the secretary and let us know how you can help.
Car Sharing
The Zipcar vehicle hire company ceased operating in the UK at the end of last year leaving their customers with few alternative choices.
It pointed its members to the CoMoUK website for more information on other car sharing options in their area.
One that might be of interest for Londoners is the Enterprise CarClub
It states that it operates in 30 London boroughs but their coverage of wards is low at present, as here, and it offers three membership options
Their vehicle locations are searchable by landmark or street.
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform
Comments are wanted on likely effectiveness of reforms in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Bill and any changes needed.
London Forum’s members should inform their own members so people living in Commonhold and Leasehold can contribute to the HCLG Committee on point 4. below by 31 March 2026.
Managing consultation responses
LB Hounslow and Chesterfield BC tested new digital tools for managing consultation responses.
- Outcome: Hounslow reduced the time and cost of processing responses and improved consistency across consultations which freed up officer time for engagement and plan making.
- Scale and approach: Pilot project delivered by planning teams from both councils working jointly with an external supplier and supported by service designers.
- Technology used: The councils worked with Urban Intelligence to develop and test new response management features within the existing PlaceMaker platform.
Details are here.
Contesting land or property
If you believe land or property is not needed and could be put to better economic use, then you can raise a challenge by submitting a Right to Contest application.
The application process has two strands:
- Strand 1: land owned by a central Government department and their arms length bodies
- Strand 2: land owned by a local authority or certain other public bodies
You’ll need to contact the relevant organisation when submitting the form. Details are on the application form.
ESSA Introduction & Retrofit Guides
Our new member ESSA (The Edwardes Square Scarsdale and Abingdon Association) has written an introduction to their work in the attached pdf document.
We’ve added links to their professionally produced and comprehensive retrofitting guides on the new Resources page. Their guides focus separately on typical Victorian, mansion block and modern buildings in London. We’ve also posted links to the Bedford Park Society’s timely Energy Guide which addresses some of the same areas (mentioned in member news last month), and while on the topic of keeping this week’s [more…]
New Resource Pages
There are many public sources of articles, reports and publications that could be important to London Forum’s members to help awareness of policy changes and activity of Government and GLA departments. The information could be useful for the way societies work with their local authority and their MP.
To help you, we’ve created a Resources website menu with links to useful research resources on the Internet, as well as to relevant London Forum material, including the Find Your Local Society page with its new map, and the [more…]
Interactive member map
We’ve added a new interactive member map to appropriate web pages, based on membership data provided by societies. Try it out live here (the image in this article is necessarily a static screenshot for publication). You can zoom in, and click on any of the blobs representing societies – the size of which represents membership – and review the data we show, including clickable links to member websites – example illustrated.
If you spot errors in location (an approximation in a handful of cases), or the [more…]
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
More social housing
Planning Fees consultation response
The Queen Elizabeth II Garden
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…]
Most Popular This Week
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 11th June | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
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London Forum open meeting - Enforcement
📅 Mon 29th June | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
Speakers and agenda to be confirmed
Please save the date !