London First works to improve planning policy and decision making. The Greater London Authority (GLA) forecasts that by 2031 there will be up to 1.3 million more people in the capital. London needs homes, offices and other developments to support this growth and remain an attractive location for global business.

Our planning objectives include

• Ensuring the planning system supports development and regeneration in London
• Contributing a business perspective to national and regional policymakers, so that they recognise the complexity of development in London
• Celebrating the role of planning in maintaining London’s world city status, to promote planning as a career choice and ensure departments are properly resourced

The London Property Summit 2013

The second London Property Summit, mounted by London First and Movers & Shakers with support from their media partner Property Week, takes place on Thursday 17 October 2013, 8am – 6.30pm, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

For more information, please go to www.thelondonpropertysummit.com

The Localism Bill

In December 2010, as part of the Government’s efforts to move power away from central government to local authorities and communities, it published the Localism Bill. The Bill covered a number of policy areas that are of interest to London First members including, planning and development, housing, infrastructure, local service provision and local governance. We worked closely with parliamentarians and other stakeholders to ensure that London’s interests were represented as the Bill was scrutinised in Parliament.

Localism Bill briefings

• Planning and Development
• Neighbourhood planning
• Our summary of Localism Bill
• Community right to buy response

The London Plan

The London Plan is the Mayor’s spatial development strategy, first published in 2004 and reviewed in 2009-10. London First represented business priorities and concerns during this process. We also represented our members on changes to supplementary planning guidance, most critically on housing. Read more

Housing

The current economic climate has changed the way in which both the private and public sector approach housing delivery. Demand for homes in the capital remains strong, and indeed will increase, as a result of changing demographics and population growth. Capacity in the industry has decreased by more than half as a result of the recession, however. Ensuring the delivery of additional housing is therefore vital to support increasing demand and deliver greater affordability. Housing policy must be drafted sensitively, providing a balance of certainty and flexibility, to enable innovative solutions to deliver the types of homes needed to meet demand.

Neighbourhood Forum

A copy of our Neighbourhood Forum map can be found here.

Community Infrastructure Levy

London First was part of the industry coalition which in 2007 put forward proposals for a planning charge to replace the Government’s Planning Gain Supplement. We are in regular dialogue with Government on the impementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy to ensure it supports, rather than frustrates, development and improves infrastructure delivery.

Borough CIL charging schedules

With the Mayoral CIL commencing on the 1 April 2012, most of the London boroughs are now beginning to prepare their individual borough CIL charging schedules (with the exception of LB Redbridge which already has its CIL charging schedule in place).

To help monitor how London boroughs are progressing with the development of their CIL charging schedules, London First has teamed up with Quod and Gerald Eve to prepare a map which shows the current progress that is being made by each London borough. The map will be refreshed on a monthly basis to ensure the information remains up to date.

The latest version of the map can be downloaded here

Councillors’ involvement in planning in London

Government Office for London, London Councils and London First undertook joint research looking at existing arrangements for councillors’ involvement in all stages of the planning process, and their training. The benefits of greater involvement are considered to be greater certainty and clearer decision making. Connecting Councillors with Strategic Planning Applications, a good practice guide for London, has been produced as a key recommendation of the research.