Issue

Affordable Housing

593 stories · discussed at 648 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are currently debating the provision of affordable housing in new developments, with some approving 100% affordable schemes while others grant permission despite its absence.

Councils are currently making decisions on the provision of affordable housing, with some approving schemes that include it and others granting permission despite its absence. In October 2026, Barking and Dagenham Council approved plans for 300 100% affordable homes on Green Belt land. Conversely, Kensington and Chelsea Council granted planning permission for 27 residential flats in October 2026 despite objections from residents and ward councillors regarding the absence of affordable housing contributions. Richmond upon Thames Council also approved a conversion project in October 2026, despite concerns about affordable housing provision.

The topic of affordable housing, which refers to housing made available at a cost accessible to people with low to moderate incomes, is scheduled for further discussion. Waltham Forest Council's Inclusive Growth and Housing Scrutiny Committee is set to discuss its housing resident engagement strategy on October 15, 2026. Havering Council's Planning Committee will consider new residential developments on October 15, 2026, and Hackney's Housing & Homelessness Scrutiny Commission will meet on October 19, 2026.

Key facts

  1. Kensington and Chelsea Council approved 27 flats in October 2026 despite the absence of affordable housing. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
  2. Barking and Dagenham Council approved 300 100% affordable homes in October 2026. Source 1 Source 2
  3. Richmond upon Thames Council approved a conversion in October 2026 despite affordability concerns. Source
  4. Brent Council committed to 19 affordable one-bedroom homes in October 2026. Source
  5. Lambeth Council adopted a housing plan in October 2026 identifying 13 development sites. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 15 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 72

  1. Timber Square Phase 2 Gets Green Light Despite Objections Southwark Council's Planning Committee has granted permission for the Timber Square Phase 2 development at 63 Ewer Street, despite objections from local groups. The decision was... Southwark 26 July 2025
  2. Lambeth Council to Cut Senior Leadership, Save £1 Million Lambeth Council is set to reduce its senior leadership team, a move projected to save the authority £1 million annually. The decision comes as the council grapples with... Lambeth 25 July 2025
  3. Newham Council Committee to Review Budget Performance In-Year Newham Council is set to scrutinise its budget performance in the coming year, following a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. The move... Newham 25 July 2025
  4. Southwark Council Discusses Housing Revenue Account Recovery Plan Southwark Council's Audit, Governance and Standards Committee convened on 14 July 2025, to discuss the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Recovery Plan, a critical initiative aimed... Southwark 21 July 2025
  5. Tower Hamlets Council Faces Scrutiny Over Housing Policies Amid Regulator Concerns Tower Hamlets Council faced scrutiny over its housing policies at a council meeting on Wednesday, as an opposition motion highlighted concerns raised by the Regulator for Social... Tower Hamlets 20 July 2025
  6. Greenwich Council Invests £343M in Capital Projects, Prioritizing Housing Greenwich Council has invested £343 million in capital projects during the 2024/25 financial year, with a significant focus on housing-related schemes, according to a report.... Greenwich 20 July 2025
  7. Huguenot House Redevelopment Approved by Westminster Cabinet Westminster Cabinet has given the green light to the Huguenot House redevelopment project, paving the way for a significant transformation of the aging building into a modern,... Westminster 20 July 2025
  8. Islington Council Approves Article 4 Directions to Protect Commercial Properties Islington Council has moved to protect commercial properties by approving the second tranche of Article 4 Directions. The decision, made at the Executive meeting on Thursday 17... Islington 20 July 2025