• Infrastructure and utilities

    What is the current role of the London Plan in infrastructure provision? How do individual types of infrastructure shape the overall London Plan spatial strategy?

    What are the infrastructure related emerging and future trends, opportunities, and challenges that a new London Plan should shape and respond to?

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    JC

    a year ago

    Publish material on possible DLR extensions (at least over public land).

    The next London Plan should suggest to the public whether DLR extensions in inner London or outer London are most likely favoured by strategic planners. Could Beckton DLR reach Barking and then Ilford via the NCR? Presumably Woolwich will never be extended. Presumably the same goes for Stratford and Stratford International. The best route from a future DLR Thamesmead extension line is to continue to Belvedere station, for South-Eastern, Thameslink and maybe the Elizabeth Line interchanges. That will allow future planners to extend again, perhaps along Picardy Manorway, and across the Thames to Rainham or, ideally, Purfleet-Thurrock-Tilbury. The strategic point of the DLR will be that it stiches together the two sides of the Thames, but for mostly shorter rather than longer journeys.

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    JC

    a year ago

    Publish academic data on tram advantages and disadvantages

    There is no point for trams to just move around empty air rather than people, and it is acknowledged that there must be transport issues that require solving, and never imposing trams as a solution looking for a problem. At the same time, the size and population of London make tram systems entirely feasible - and the Planning Inspectorate must allow policy to stretch beyond any London Plan end-date. Tell him/her/them that Switzerland has 50-year plans. There is presumably a wealth of domestic and international data to show whether tram services leads to increased private-sector investment along the routes. That is perhaps on the basis that physical hardware on the streets tells investors that the rails cannot ever be cut back, which can certainly happen with enhanced bus services. The London Plan should document a great deal of material on trams, including material from cities around the world, and then try to get political buy-in from London’s political parties.

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    JC

    a year ago

    Examine if more tram routes can meet London's transport needs

    Examine if the current Southall-to-Hounslow Loop corridor could use trams, including interchanging with the Piccadilly Line on the way, and crossing the A4 Great West Road at traffic lights. Examine if the current Romford-to-Upminster London Overground service could be converted to a tram route, with perhaps two extra tram stops on the way, and extensions at either end, including around Romford town centre, and perhaps a new park-and-ride site next to the M25. Examine if passive provision along Superloop bus corridors could be made for future trams, or on other parallel orbital routes. Examine how rather short, isolated tram routes could be serviced, perhaps with road transport of trams to Croydon for major overhauls.

  • Elizabeth Line East

    • Where are new homes and jobs delivered, and how could we ‘unlock’ places that are struggling?
    • What could be done to support sustainable active travel and improved connectivity along the corridor? Where do you think this may be needed?
    • What are economy sectors that may be thriving and could be supported? Where are they located?
    • What is needed for Industrial Land to be successful in the corridor?
    • Are there areas within the corridor that present an opportunity for open space provision at strategic...

    Latest posts

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    JC

    a year ago

    Promote Romford as an east London destination

    Stratford no longer needs strategic promotion, and is damaging other east London centres. The GLA should promote the historically poor and unfashionable Romford as a significant leisure, retail, business and cultural destination. It should promote low-cost arts, crafts and business start-up rental spaces. Romford (and Ilford) should be awarded grants for significant tree-planting in the town centres. The Elizabeth Line should change all announcements of "Shenfield via Stratford" to "Shenfield via Stratford and Romford".

  • Affordable housing

    What are London’s most pressing housing needs?

    How can we better plan to meet affordable housing need and tackle homelessness?

    What measures should the Mayor, government and others take to deliver more social and affordable homes. Which of these measures should be prioritised?

    How can current economic and delivery challenges for affordable housing be overcome?

    Is there anything else that should be considered to help address affordable housing need in London?

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    NicolaKenchGroundswellEcosystems

    a year ago

    What is true affordability related to income?

    If we model the need for affordable housing from the 'ground up', it's worthwhile starting with what will be the take home pay of someone working in London at the London Living Wage of £11.95 in 2023 (recognised that the anticipated new LLW 2024 will be £13.15). The take home salary for an individual working full time at the 2023 London Living Wage will be approximately £1400. In a Mayor of London online database for accurately typical rents London wide, it is found that a 1 bedroom Lambeth flat typical rent is £1 300+ (Source: https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/housing-and-land/improving-private-rented-sector/london-rents-map) Working full time at the London Living Wage and renting on the open market is significantly prohibitively expensive. Social housing / affordable housing is a profound necessity for the London workforce who work full time at low wage to power this city. Considering that affordable housing is divided into tenure types that are labelled 'affordable' but are often very close to market rents (often up to 80% of market rents), truly affordable social housing allows the low paid full time workforce to live in financial dignity. Financial dignity for all is at the fundament of social cohesion.

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    JC

    a year ago

    The GLA should copy the ambitions of the London County Council

    The GLA needs permission and capacity for direct financing of low-cost housing, based on direct borrowing from the money markets and repayment out of rents over the following 40 years. It has been done before.

  • Specialist housing

    What is the role of specialist/specialised housing in London?

    How important is specialist vs conventional housing?

    What are the current/emerging barriers to delivery of specialist housing and how might these be addressed through planning policy?

  • Housing market innovation

    How can specialist/specialised housing and innovation more generally help meet evolving needs?

    What is and should be the role of planning policy in shaping or responding to innovation in housing products/models?

  • Small sites

    What do are the barriers to delivering more homes on small sites?

    What are the impacts of planning policy and guidance have on delivery of small sites?

    How can small sites deliver different types of housing – what are the barriers/enablers?

    The London Plan Guidance shows different types of small site opportunities (see Small Sites Presentation in the documents). Are these realistic? What opportunities are missing? How can we de-risk these? Are they under-ambitious?

    How can small sites deliver affor...

  • West London Orbital

    • Where are new homes and jobs delivered, and how could we unlock places that are struggling?
    • Considering the momentum of development in the corridor, what infrastructure may be needed to support growth (including energy, social infrastructure, waste), and how could a future plan support?
    • What could be done to support sustainable active travel and improved connectivity along the corridor? Where do you think this may be needed?
    • What are economy sectors that may be thriving and could be supported? ...

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    JC

    a year ago

    Study extensions of the routes at the three terminuses

    Consider extending the line at West Hampstead Thameslink station with a single track and a single platform for four trains per hour at a reinstated Finchley Road station, at track level next to the Sainsburys / O2 car park. Consider extending a single track at Hendon Thameslink to Aerodrome Road / RAF Museum, either between the Midland Main Line fast and slow lines, or (ideally) on the western side of all the current tracks. Consider a wholesale review with Network Rail of the current century-old ‘Hounslow Loop’ rail service, leading to extending the WLO service beyond Hounslow, around the current loop, to the mainly unused new northern-side platform at Twickenham station. Avoid any bay platform at Old Oak Common Lane station for the WLO. Consider running to the unused northern-side platform at Acton Main Line station, with bi-directional tracks for passing freight trains there. Build one integrated Old Oak Common Lane station, with passive provision for six platforms (but only two for the WLO).

  • Upper Lea Valley

    • Where are new homes and jobs delivered, and how could we ‘unlock’ places that are struggling? How could a future plan support?
    • What could be done to support sustainable active travel and improved connectivity along the corridor? Where do you think this may be needed?
    • What are economy sectors that may be thriving and could be supported? Where are they located?
    • What is needed for Industrial Land to be successful in Upper Lea Valley?
    • Thinking of water infrastructure and severance, are there any...

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    JC

    a year ago

    GLA should try to avoid lop-sided and distant developments around new transport nodes

    As an example, the new(ish) Meridian Water station needed planned development immediately abutting it from the start. Instead, there are major developments on the western side but rather distant, and nothing at all on the eastern side, just a major noisy road. The station is a barren and hostile place and an example of bad urban planning.

  • Building heights and tall buildings

    1. In terms of building heights, what should London’s ‘shape’ be in the future? What should the skyline of Greater London look like?
    2. Is there a greater scope for mid-rise development (5 - 10 storeys) in London, over and above what we currently do?
    3. What role should tall buildings play in London’s future?
    4. What role should strategic and local views have on London’s future skyline?
    5. What role should the London Plan play in managing tall building development?
    6. In addition to the impacts listed in Po...

  • Definitions and standards for zero carbon and energy

    • What's working now and what's not?
    • Definition and scope of ‘net zero’ (scope) - how do we measure it (methodology and baselines)?
    • Should we align with any existing or upcoming standardized industry systems regarding net zero?
    • What is working well about the current approach of net zero carbon target for developments in London? What is working less well?
    • What standards for energy efficiency and carbon reduction should we set for development?
    • Should our approach to carbon offsetting (and carbon...

  • Energy infrastructure and District Heat Networks (DHNs)

    • How can we support buildings to develop their energy strategy in the context of the wider energy system
    • What more could the London Plan do to support closer relationships between new developments and district heat networks during the planning process to support connections?
    • What more could the London Plan do to support closer relationships between new and existing buildings and district heat networks to support their expansion and growth?
    • How do you see PassiveHaus/very high standards of build...

  • Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) & Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

    General

    • What is currently working for biodiversity and nature conservation?
    • What do you think LNRS and BNG in London, will achieve?
    • How will this differ from what we can do now/what additional outcomes will result?
    • What should we prioritise for Nature Recovery in London?
    • How do we reflect requirements around Local Nature Recovery Strategies in the London Plan? (including spatially)?
    • How do we approach BNG (and any targets for development) in London (in the context of national mandatory BNG)...

  • Whole life-cycle carbon (WLC), Circular Economy (CE) and retrofit

    General

    • What is working well about current approaches to [WLC/CE]? What is working less well?
    • Should re-use of buildings always be prioritized?
    • What considerations should be taken into account when making decisions about refurbishing or demolishing existing buildings?
    • What would be the trade-offs? (e.g between operational vs embodied emissions, and achieving other planning objectives)
    • What are the current barriers to retaining existing buildings? (and can planning help overcome any of these b...

  • Planning for Green Infrastructure

  • Water resilience and flooding

    General

    What is working well, what is not working well

    How to support and measure adaptation across London?

    Water resources

    • London is increasingly under pressure with wetter winters and hotter drier summers which affects our supply of water. How can policies help reduce demand on water/ Increase the water reuse and rainwater harvesting delivery?
    • How do we deal with cross boundary issues?

    River Health / Water Quality

    • How can London plan policies help secure action so we have rivers we can swim in a...

  • Managing heat risk

    What is working well about the current approach in the London Plan on managing heat risk and what isn’t working so well?

    Do we need to strengthen Policy SI 4 Managing heat risk ? How?

    How should planning address overheating at the early stages of design, and seek to reduce intensification of the Urban Heat Island effect in the context of climate change?

    How can we measure the impact of Policy SI 4 Managing heat risk?

    How can planning play a part in mitigating the disproportionate impacts of extr...

  • Inclusive design

    • How could the London Plan evolve to promote and deliver a more inclusive and accessible future London for different equality groups?

    • What kind of development and population trends should Inclusive Design policy seek to shape and direct?

    • How can early engagement work and co-design processes with different equality groups usefully inform a new London Plan?

    • Are there particular types of Inclusive Design that the London Plan should promote / support to meet the needs of different groups?
    • How ...

  • Components of a spatial strategy

    How effectively are we using spatial policy tools like Opportunity Areas, the Central Activities Zone, areas of regeneration, town centres, strategic infrastructure, green belt, heritage and conservation areas, Metropolitan Open Land, strategic and local industrial land and existing residential areas in managing and directing growth?

    What has happened in the last 5 years that should inform a new spatial strategy for London?

    Which future trends should be considered and acknowledged in a future Lon...

    Latest posts

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    AGRumfitt

    2 years ago

    2024 + 20 years will be the key timeframe to get to net zero for London.

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    AGRumfitt

    2 years ago

    Consider the success in delivering housing over the 23 years of London Plans. What would you have done differently?

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    AGRumfitt

    2 years ago

    Review OAs as 47 have just grown over time and are too many for a clear spatial focus?

  • Bakerloo Line Growth Corridor

    • Where are new homes and jobs delivered, and how could we ‘unlock’ places that are struggling?
    • How could growth (new homes and jobs) could be supported in Bromley? What infrastructure may be needed?
    • How could growth be supported in the south of the corridor (Bell Green, Lower Sydenham)? What can happen without the BLE?
    • What are economy sectors that may be thriving and could be supported? Where are they located?
    • What is the role of Lewisham Town Centre in the corridor, and across London?
    • Are t...

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    JC

    a year ago

    Find a new Bakerloo Line depot site down the Hayes Line

    Close the London Road depot and allow development there, including direct GLA build of low-cost housing and business start-up spaces.. Clarify where Bakerloo Line trains would terminate. Will there be three platforms at Lewisham? Can trains to and from the single platform at Beckenham Junction be maximised, for valuable passenger interchange (with the Chatham Main Line and Croydon trams)? Develop a strategy of modal shift from cars in Bromley by maximising bus links interchanging at the Bakerloo Line stations, including to and from Bromley town centre.

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    AGRumfitt

    2 years ago

    Look at the growth trends carefully in the corridor from 2011 to 2021/present for homes, jobs, GVA and productivity.

  • Thames Estuary Growth Corridor

    • Where are new homes and jobs delivered, and how could we ‘unlock’ places that are struggling?
    • What are other economy sectors that may be thriving and could be supported? Where?
    • What is the role of industrial land in the corridor?
    • What infrastructure may be needed to support growth in the corridor and where? This includes energy, social infrastructure, water, transport.
    • What are the areas of physical severance in the corridor?
    • Are there areas within the corridor that present an opportunity for o...

    Latest posts

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    JC

    a year ago

    Promote Woolwich as an east London destination

    Stratford no longer needs strategic promotion, and is damaging other east London centres. The GLA should promote the historically poor and unfashionable Woolwich as a significant leisure, retail, business and cultural destination. It should promote low-cost arts, crafts and business start-up rental spaces. Woolwich should be awarded grants for significant tree-planting in the town centre. Woolwich now has unparalleled rail connections (the South-Eastern Dartford Line, the DLR and the Elizabeth Line). The Elizabeth Line should change all announcements of "Abbey Wood via Canary Wharf” to "Abbey Wood via Canary Wharf and Woolwich".

  • Industrial land and sectors

    Industrial land supply and demand

    Q1.1 What are key drivers for different types of local and wider industrial demand?

    Q1.2 What are key sources of local and wider industrial supply?

    Q1.3 How are the designated industrial areas doing, and should there be more change?

    Industrial policy approaches

    Q2.1 How to prevent further loss of industrial land, also through Class E?

    Q2.2 How to best plan for sufficient industrial supply?

    Q2.3 Could and should substitution of industrial land elsewhere be used more wi...

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    JC

    a year ago

    Include all proposals in the Mayor's London Rail Freight Strategy of May 2021

    That recent study and report was jointly financed by TfL, Network Rail and the private rail freight industry. Every proposal in it must be documented again in the next London Plan, including proposals to increase London Overground capacity at various places.

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    JC

    a year ago

    Protect all operational railway land in London by default

    Only support loss of such land where there is no conceivable need over the next few decades for railway or other transport use. Establish with the Planning Inspectorate that passively looking decades ahead, beyond a London Plan’s end date, is not a crime and should be supported, Oppose ‘Highline’ linear parks on operational railway land.

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    JC

    a year ago

    Clarify the flexibility of the SIL designations

    Is land marked as SIL defined as the land area, the level of industrial production (perhaps after intensification) or the number of industrial jobs? Next to the new HS2 station in west London, stop wasting legitimate development opportunities at ‘Old Oak North’ from the current blanket SIL designation, which only happened because of chronic OPDC failures, and could be corrected nowadays by SIL-swapping with parts of ‘Old Oak West’. That would also allow funding for a second road access to the £1.7-billion HS2/GWML station. Having just one road access is a scandal, and another OPDC failure.

  • Planning for Class E Commercial, Business and Service Uses

    1. How should we plan for the range of land use demands for different Class E uses?
    2. What are the recent trends in Class E floorspace in different parts of London?
      See Figures 1.2 and 1.3 in the discussion guide for trends in office and retail space in London, inner London and outer London compared to other parts of England.
    3. How can we ensure that developments designed for Class E meets a broad range of uses and locations? Are there any particular design requirements associated with any of the Cla...

  • Planning for Affordable Workspace

    London Plan Policy E3 is a strategic policy that supports the provision of Affordable Workspace, which is defined in the Plan as “workspace that is provided at rents maintained below the market rate for that space for a specific social, cultural, or economic development purpose”.

    1. What are the range of factors that affect the ‘affordability’ of workspace for different end users? And how can or should planning policy influence these?

    2. How are boroughs taking forward London Plan Policy E3 in th...