Richard Lemon
@rlemon-planner.bsky.social
Chartered town planner; former chair of RTPI London
Does anyone have access to DoE / Welsh Office development control policy note 12 Hotels (1972) and, if so, might they be able to provide me with a copy?
November 16, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Does anyone have access to DoE / Welsh Office development control policy note 12 Hotels (1972) and, if so, might they be able to provide me with a copy?
As trailed by @davehillonlondon.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/society/2025... Notable that this will be a time-limited intervention.
London developers to be allowed to reduce percentage of affordable homes
Housing secretary and capital’s mayor draw up plans to boost housebuilding, but homelessness charities protest
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:16 AM
As trailed by @davehillonlondon.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/society/2025... Notable that this will be a time-limited intervention.
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Latest stats on greenbelt land published today - I think people are always surprised by this map, which shows that the large majority of land across England is neither built up, nor greenbelt. Most of it's just ordinary, unprotected farmland. www.gov.uk/government/s...
October 9, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Latest stats on greenbelt land published today - I think people are always surprised by this map, which shows that the large majority of land across England is neither built up, nor greenbelt. Most of it's just ordinary, unprotected farmland. www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Map of the proposed new towns here. As expected, mostly in the south and nothing north of Leeds.
September 28, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Map of the proposed new towns here. As expected, mostly in the south and nothing north of Leeds.
Reposted by Richard Lemon
So as expected, most of the 'new towns' are urban extensions. Just three (Adlington, Marlcombe and Tempsford) are stand-alone entirely new settlements.
September 28, 2025 at 7:27 AM
So as expected, most of the 'new towns' are urban extensions. Just three (Adlington, Marlcombe and Tempsford) are stand-alone entirely new settlements.
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Here's gov's New Towns taskforce announcement, www.gov.uk/government/n.... As well as Crews Hill (Enfield) it specifies "creation of a riverside settlement in Thamesmead (Greenwich) & improving connectivity if the proposed extension of the DLR can be delivered to enable the development." #london
Expert Taskforce recommends locations for new towns
The New Towns Taskforce has recommended locations for the next generation of new towns.
www.gov.uk
September 28, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Here's gov's New Towns taskforce announcement, www.gov.uk/government/n.... As well as Crews Hill (Enfield) it specifies "creation of a riverside settlement in Thamesmead (Greenwich) & improving connectivity if the proposed extension of the DLR can be delivered to enable the development." #london
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Govt response to New Towns Taskforce recommendations. The Taskforce’s 12 locations still being considered (“Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank looking particularly promising”). More by next Spring so watch this space or rather these various large spaces.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Initial government response - September 2025
www.gov.uk
September 28, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Govt response to New Towns Taskforce recommendations. The Taskforce’s 12 locations still being considered (“Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank looking particularly promising”). More by next Spring so watch this space or rather these various large spaces.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Richard Lemon
New town locations now out:
- Adlington, Cheshire East
- South Gloucestershire
- Enfield
- Heyford Park in Cherwell
- Leeds
- Manchester, Victoria North
- Marlcombe, East Devon
- A ‘Renewed Town’ in Milton Keynes;
- Plymouth
- Tempsford
- Thamesmead, Greenwich;
- Worcestershire Parkway, Wychavon
- Adlington, Cheshire East
- South Gloucestershire
- Enfield
- Heyford Park in Cherwell
- Leeds
- Manchester, Victoria North
- Marlcombe, East Devon
- A ‘Renewed Town’ in Milton Keynes;
- Plymouth
- Tempsford
- Thamesmead, Greenwich;
- Worcestershire Parkway, Wychavon
We warmly welcome all 12 of the locations recommend by the Taskforce with Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank looking particularly promising.
We are today commencing a SEA to support final decisions on precisely which sites will be taken forward.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
We are today commencing a SEA to support final decisions on precisely which sites will be taken forward.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Initial government response - September 2025
www.gov.uk
September 28, 2025 at 7:23 AM
New town locations now out:
- Adlington, Cheshire East
- South Gloucestershire
- Enfield
- Heyford Park in Cherwell
- Leeds
- Manchester, Victoria North
- Marlcombe, East Devon
- A ‘Renewed Town’ in Milton Keynes;
- Plymouth
- Tempsford
- Thamesmead, Greenwich;
- Worcestershire Parkway, Wychavon
- Adlington, Cheshire East
- South Gloucestershire
- Enfield
- Heyford Park in Cherwell
- Leeds
- Manchester, Victoria North
- Marlcombe, East Devon
- A ‘Renewed Town’ in Milton Keynes;
- Plymouth
- Tempsford
- Thamesmead, Greenwich;
- Worcestershire Parkway, Wychavon
Guardian: Plan to build 12 new towns in England to be unveiled at Labour conference - www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Plan to build 12 new towns in England to be unveiled at Labour conference
Housing secretary is set to announce initiative modelled on Clement Attlee’s postwar ‘housing boom’
www.theguardian.com
September 27, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Guardian: Plan to build 12 new towns in England to be unveiled at Labour conference - www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Richard Lemon
New for OnLondon by @charleswright57.bsky.social: Sadiq Khan's deputy for planning hints at imminent major policy shift to help increase homebuilding: www.onlondon.co.uk/sadiq-khan-d... @simonicity.bsky.social @tomcopley.bsky.social @london.gov.uk @zoegarbett.bsky.social @hinabokharild.bsky.social
Sadiq deputy hints at major policy shift to increase homebuilding
Deputy Mayor for Planning Jules Pipe has told a high-level conference to expect "immediate measures"
www.onlondon.co.uk
September 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
New for OnLondon by @charleswright57.bsky.social: Sadiq Khan's deputy for planning hints at imminent major policy shift to help increase homebuilding: www.onlondon.co.uk/sadiq-khan-d... @simonicity.bsky.social @tomcopley.bsky.social @london.gov.uk @zoegarbett.bsky.social @hinabokharild.bsky.social
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Remember housing? Remember how boosting home-building is a major @teamlabouruk.bsky.social ambition? Remember the New Towns programme? There is a growing belief in #London planning circles that two very different locations in the capital have been chosen. Now read on.
Which London locations will be recommended as sites for New Towns? I don't know for sure. But people in the capital's planning circles keep mention two names: www.onlondon.co.uk/where-in-lon... #london #housing #planning #enfield #thamesmead
Where in London will government New Towns go?
Expectations in the capital's planning circles are that one site will be chosen in the city's south-east and another at its northern border
www.onlondon.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Remember housing? Remember how boosting home-building is a major @teamlabouruk.bsky.social ambition? Remember the New Towns programme? There is a growing belief in #London planning circles that two very different locations in the capital have been chosen. Now read on.
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Steve Reed is to leave DEFRA to become the new housing secretary, PolHome understands
Keir Starmer Carries Out Major Cabinet Reshuffle After Angela Rayner Resignation
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is carrying out a major Cabinet reshuffle after the departure of Angela Rayner as deputy prime minister.
www.politicshome.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Steve Reed is to leave DEFRA to become the new housing secretary, PolHome understands
Worth noting that the briefing refers to the 'legal definition' of a hostel in the Housing Act 1985. But rather than import definitions from other areas of law, in planning we typically rely on the characterisation of hostels in two key cases: Commercial and Residential and Panayi.
Useful summary here of the legal issues around hotels being used as asylum seeker accommodation and whether or not planning permission is required. commonslibrary.parliament.uk/is-planning-...
Is planning permission required to house asylum seekers in hotels?
Court cases have focused on whether using hotels to house asylum seekers constitutes a material change of use to a hostel.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
September 4, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Worth noting that the briefing refers to the 'legal definition' of a hostel in the Housing Act 1985. But rather than import definitions from other areas of law, in planning we typically rely on the characterisation of hostels in two key cases: Commercial and Residential and Panayi.
Nick Cuff's diagnosis of the problems is spot on. I largely agree with his suggested solutions too, though in my view some degree of discretion, rather than an entirely-rules based system, can be helpful to developers and investors.
Nick Cuff has long experience in #london local government, planning & housing supply. I'm pleased to republish his recent diagnosis of why so few homes are being built in the capital: www.onlondon.co.uk/nick-cuff-wh... #housing @simonicity.bsky.social @julesbirch.bsky.social @tomcopley.bsky.social
Nick Cuff: Why London stopped building
Housing supply has become chronically slow and the development sector will only change that if there's a big rethink of tax and regulation
www.onlondon.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Nick Cuff's diagnosis of the problems is spot on. I largely agree with his suggested solutions too, though in my view some degree of discretion, rather than an entirely-rules based system, can be helpful to developers and investors.
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Planning law is perhaps the UK’s most formidable single weapon in geo-politics.
More than Trident.
More than Trident.
Under no circumstances suggest massive embassy is spy hub for that might give offence, instead bamboozle spies with the elaborate planning permission system. It is the British way. on.ft.com/4lmrkoX
UK demands China explain redacted parts of London embassy plan
[FREE TO READ] Some drawings for the ‘mega’ project close to the Tower of London have blacked out sections
on.ft.com
August 7, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Planning law is perhaps the UK’s most formidable single weapon in geo-politics.
More than Trident.
More than Trident.
Reposted by Richard Lemon
My father took me every Saturday morning to see the progress of the building of the Thames barrier. He was borough surveyor for Bexley in 60s. Oh the joy of town planners.
July 4, 2025 at 9:52 PM
My father took me every Saturday morning to see the progress of the building of the Thames barrier. He was borough surveyor for Bexley in 60s. Oh the joy of town planners.
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Well, I for one quite enjoyed this evening trawling through microfiche scans of a 1970s planning application for a story.
July 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Well, I for one quite enjoyed this evening trawling through microfiche scans of a 1970s planning application for a story.
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Now retrieved from the depths of the internet (having checked the Welsh Office reference for the same circular): webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/201404...
June 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Now retrieved from the depths of the internet (having checked the Welsh Office reference for the same circular): webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/201404...
Do any of my fellow planners have a copy of Department of the Environment Circular 13/87 'Changes of use of buildings and other land: the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987' they could email me?
June 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Do any of my fellow planners have a copy of Department of the Environment Circular 13/87 'Changes of use of buildings and other land: the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987' they could email me?
Reposted by Richard Lemon
Government confirms that Planning and Infrastructure Bill 'will be introduced in Spring' with further detail on the Bill to be published today in a working paper - www.gov.uk/government/n...
Government goes further and faster on planning reform in bid for growth
Chancellor continues bold reform of the planning system to deliver on the Plan for Change for working people.
www.gov.uk
January 26, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Government confirms that Planning and Infrastructure Bill 'will be introduced in Spring' with further detail on the Bill to be published today in a working paper - www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Richard Lemon
We will be launching an awareness campaign to change the narrative around planning by demonstrating the public benefits of proper planning. It will aim to reshape public perceptions, showing planning not as an obstacle, but as a proactive force for good.
Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ja...
Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ja...
RTPI to launch its second major awareness campaign to change narrative around planning
Helen Fadipe, RTPI President in 2025, is looking to change the narrative around planning as part of a new RTPI campaign.
www.rtpi.org.uk
January 22, 2025 at 11:49 AM
We will be launching an awareness campaign to change the narrative around planning by demonstrating the public benefits of proper planning. It will aim to reshape public perceptions, showing planning not as an obstacle, but as a proactive force for good.
Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ja...
Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ja...
I'm reminded of 1990s changes to county councils, as well as a misheard (by me) song lyric in the 1992 James song Born of Frustration. The lyric is not, as I briefly thought, 'Stop stop talkin' 'bout who's to blame, when all the counties are to change', but 'When all that counts is how to change'.
January 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I'm reminded of 1990s changes to county councils, as well as a misheard (by me) song lyric in the 1992 James song Born of Frustration. The lyric is not, as I briefly thought, 'Stop stop talkin' 'bout who's to blame, when all the counties are to change', but 'When all that counts is how to change'.