In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places Podcast we were joined by the UK’s #1 ranked Planning Lawyer, Simon Ricketts, to discuss the Government and Sadiq Khan’s announcement of 23rd October on a series of measures that can support housebuilding in London.
The housing crisis in London is real, with Molior reporting that private construction starts totalled just 3,248 homes in the first three quarters of 2025 and likely 5,000 for the year. One in six construction projects have halted whilst there were only 5,933 new home sales over Q1 to Q3.
Alongside this, Build-to-Rent starts are drying up, with Molior predicting that BTR completions are set to disappear after 2027.
The human impact of this is stark. More than 130,000 households are living in temporary accommodation in London and the cost of this has led to a £740m black hole for local authorities.
Concilio’s MD Nick Dines and Simon look at the Government’s proposed reforms:
- Time-limited planning route that enables developers to secure planning permission for schemes on private land that provides at least 20% affordable without requiring an upfront viability assessment. This will qualify for Fast Track and be eligible for grant.
- Temporary relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy, covering 50% of the borough CIL charge for schemes delivering at least 20% affordable.
- Adjusting London Plan design guidance on dual aspect requirements, dwellings per core and cycle storage provision.
- Enhanced Mayoral planning powers, giving the Mayor the authority over 50 unit schemes, the ability to call in 1,000 sqm Green Belt and MOL and allow written rep call ins.
- An initial £322m allocation to establish a City Hall Developer Investment Fund
Simon explains his understanding on the timings involved and looks at four different scenarios for developers:
- Existing planning permission that is unimplemented or is a phased consent
- Application approved by Committee yet does not have the Section 106 signed
- An application that has been submitted but has not been determined
- An application not yet submitted
The podcast is a fascinating, must-listen episode if you want to understand how significant the changes coming to planning in London are.
