Ealing Council's Local Development Plan Advisory Committee convened on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, to discuss the implications of the forthcoming new London Plan on the borough. The meeting addressed key challenges and opportunities presented by the plan, which is set to run from 2027 to 2050 and will significantly impact housing targets and development strategies.
A primary focus of the discussion was the Towards a New London Plan, a document outlining potential approaches to key issues and seeking feedback to inform the next iteration of the London Plan. The committee considered the opportunities and challenges the new plan poses for Ealing, particularly concerning the government's indication that London should plan for 87,992 new homes per year – a substantial increase from the current plan's 52,000.
The committee also reviewed a government working paper on planning reform, entitled Speeding up Build Out
. This paper seeks views on options to ensure incentives exist in the housing market and that local planning authorities have the tools to encourage faster build rates. One proposal involves granting local authorities the ability to charge developers a Delayed Homes Penalty
for falling behind pre-agreed build-out schedules.
Councillor Sanjai Kohli, Chair of the committee, presented a report to familiarise the committee with its purpose and consider future items. The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) aims to foster partnership between the council, local community, voluntary sector, and development industry on planning issues. The PAC will not discuss individual planning applications or enforcement cases subject to the formal public planning process.
The meeting agenda also included approval of the minutes from the meeting held on 15 November 2023, and consideration of future areas of interest for upcoming meetings.