Issue

Affordable Housing

597 stories · discussed at 657 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are currently deciding on affordable housing provision in new developments, with some approving 100% affordable schemes and others facing objections over its absence.

In October 2026, Barking and Dagenham Council's Planning Committee approved a development at Crowlands Golf Centre that will deliver 300 residential units as 100% affordable housing, split between social and key worker living rent. Meanwhile, Kensington and Chelsea Council's Planning Committee approved a development at 2-14 Telford Road despite resident objections over the absence of affordable housing contributions. Richmond upon Thames Council also granted retrospective planning permission for Kingston Bridge House, despite concerns about affordable housing provision.

The provision of housing that is affordable to people with low to moderate incomes remains a key focus for councils. The Housing & Homelessness Scrutiny Commission at Hackney Council is scheduled to meet on October 19, 2026, and the Planning Applications Committee at Kensington and Chelsea Council will meet on October 20, 2026, where affordable housing matters may be discussed.

Key facts

  1. Barking and Dagenham Council approved 300 affordable homes at Crowlands Golf Centre in October 2026. Source 1 Source 2
  2. The Crowlands Golf Centre development will be 100% affordable housing, with 56% for social rent and 44% for key worker living rent. Source
  3. Kensington and Chelsea Council's Planning Committee approved a development at 2-14 Telford Road in October 2026 despite objections over the absence of affordable housing. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
  4. Richmond upon Thames Council granted retrospective planning permission for Kingston Bridge House in October 2026 despite concerns about affordable housing provision. 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 16 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 21

  1. Lambeth's Vauxhall Square plan: 1,097 homes, but only 25% affordable Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee has approved plans for the redevelopment of Vauxhall Square, a significant mixed-use development that will deliver 1,097 new... Lambeth 9 September 2026
  2. Surbiton committee defers controversial housing plan Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee has deferred a controversial housing plan for 42 Guilford Avenue, Surbiton, to allow for further information to be gathered. The decision was... Kingston upon Thames 9 September 2026
  3. Community flat converted to affordable housing Hackney Council's Planning Sub-Committee has granted planning permission for the conversion of a community flat into a much-needed affordable housing unit. The decision, made... Hackney 7 September 2026
  4. Hackney Council Grants Temporary Sauna Permission for Climbing Centre Amid Resident Objections Hackney Council's Planning Sub-Committee has granted temporary planning permission for a 16-person sauna to be installed at The Castle Climbing Centre. The decision, made at a... Hackney 7 September 2026
  5. Barnet Council brings IT services back in-house Barnet Council has decided to bring its IT End User and Managed Infrastructure services back in-house, effective from October 1, 2026. The decision follows the abandonment of a... Barnet 5 September 2026
  6. IT contract failure leads to staff transfer Barnet Council is bringing its IT End User and Managed Infrastructure services back in-house following the collapse of a new IT contract procurement process. The decision, made... Barnet 5 September 2026
  7. Councillor questions IT bidder's cost hike Barnet Council has decided to bring its IT End User and Managed Infrastructure services back in-house after a procurement process for a new contract was abandoned. The decision,... Barnet 5 September 2026
  8. Bexley approves HMO conversions despite parking fears Bexley Council's Planning Committee has approved six residential development applications, including several changes of use to Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), despite... Bexley 4 September 2026