London Forum Updates
Right to lobby Councillors on developments
Posted on: 29 June 2020 at 16:26:06
A Court decision means that from 11th June 2020 communities have the right to lobby Councillors sitting on a planning committee about any scheme and the Councillors should read any documents submitted.
The case for retirement housing
Posted on: 29 June 2020 at 16:12:17
Further to the update below on this subject of 13th June, the Planning magazine has published an article on what local authority planners could do to encourage more schemes to come forward.
Post pandemic considerations
Posted on: 21 June 2020 at 11:42:32
There are two recent publications that can help to inform debate and planning for a post pandemic London.
In an RIBA Journal article several contributors comment on the potential office design revolution and what our future workspaces might look like.
The London Society has started a debate 'WhenThisIsAllOver' about what will change and what should done differently in the post-virus, post-lockdown world. Twenty five blogs submitted to them on various subjects can be read here.
Borough on-line planning meetings
Posted on: 21 June 2020 at 11:28:19
London Forum produced a report on the way Councils were conducting on-line planning committee meetings in the first two months of Covid-19 lockdown.
The details and recommendations were sent in a letter to borough planning people and a positive response was received from many of them.
Standards expected will be monitored by civic and community groups.
New MHCLG Chief Planner Joanna Averley
Posted on: 20 June 2020 at 16:54:23
A new Chief Planner has been appointed in Government, as here.
'Streetspace' programme guidance by UDL
Posted on: 18 June 2020 at 10:08:10
Urban Design London (UDL) has been holding webinars on how streets could be re-designed and reconfigured as traffic is managed.
Videos of the webinars can be seen here.
There will be a a round up of best practice on 30th June 2020. To book for that session email info@urbandesignlondon.com
Report/proposals: 'Action on Empty Homes'
Posted on: 17 June 2020 at 15:41:07
Action on Empty Homes has studied the problem of homes not used and has produced a report and proposed actions that the Government and Councils could take.
London Forum's members should discuss this with their local authority.
Revisions to England's planning system
Posted on: 17 June 2020 at 13:59:08
The Government is proposing amendments to the planning system. A White Paper on the subject was proposed in 2019 and may be seen in the next few months.
London Forum has considered the suggestions that the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, and Policy Exchange have made for such changes and has prepared some draft 'Red Lines' which will be reviewed when further proposals are published by the Government.
London Forum wrote some months ago to the Secretary of State to oppose Permitted Development Rights (PDR) for 'building upwards'. The response left concerns about possible PDR for raising buildings other than blocks of flats.
London Forum will continue to make representations to Ministers and to the new Chief Planner in MHCLG, Joanna Averley, who was appointed on 16th June, as reported in Planning.
The retiring Chief Planner, Steve Quartermain, covered many matters of interest in his valedictory letter to local authorities.
Response to HE's Tall Buildings advice
Posted on: 17 June 2020 at 13:48:38
London Forum has submitted a response to Historic England's draft Advice Note 4 on consideration of tall buildings and their effect.
It was recommended in the update below of 2nd May 2020 that civic and community groups should submit their own comments to Historic England.
Living needs and ‘retirement’ homes of older people
Posted on: 13 June 2020 at 22:59:15
There have been several publications, articles and discussion groups on this subject. Some of them are contained in the document here.
There is a report "Too Little, Too Late?" - 'Housing for an ageing population' by Professor Les Mayhew.
Additional recommendations are in a report "Retirement Living Explained" - 'A Guide for Planning & Design Professionals'.
London Forum's members should discuss with their Council what plans there are locally for retirement housing.
