Law or policy

Local plan

26 stories · discussed at 29 council meetings · 22 councils

Councils are updating Local Plans, revising planning policies, and approving new developments across boroughs.

Havering Council set a new 30-month timetable for its Local Plan in September 2026, aiming to streamline the planning process under updated government guidelines. Also in September 2026, Lambeth Council is seeking public health input for its forthcoming Local Plan, while Croydon Council's Cabinet approved a revised Community Infrastructure Levy charging schedule to fund infrastructure. Harrow Council confirmed an Article 4 Direction on HMOs, and Greenwich Council adopted new rules shifting planning decision power to officers.

Tower Hamlets Council's Development Committee granted planning permission in September 2026 for a roof extension adding nine homes, with a £622,337.34 payment towards affordable housing. In August 2026, Merton Council approved a mixed-use development including 249 social rented homes. Haringey Council received briefings in July 2026 for developments with co-living and affordable homes that fell short of targets. Bromley Council will consider airport emissions in planning decisions, as stated by a Portfolio Holder in July 2026.

Hillingdon's Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee was scheduled to discuss updates on the Growth Plan and Local Plan in September 2026. Lambeth's Cabinet was also scheduled to discuss the Site Allocations Development Plan Document in September 2026. A Local Plan is a statutory document outlining a council's planning policies and proposals for land use and development, which must be updated every five years.

Key facts

  1. Havering Council set a new 30-month timetable for its Local Plan in September 2026. Source
  2. Croydon Council's Cabinet approved a revised Community Infrastructure Levy charging schedule in September 2026. Source
  3. Harrow Council confirmed a borough-wide Article 4 Direction on HMOs in September 2026. Source
  4. Greenwich Council adopted new planning delegation rules in September 2026. Source
  5. Tower Hamlets Council's Development Committee granted planning permission in September 2026 for a roof extension adding nine homes. Source 1 Source 2
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Revised CIL schedule to fund infrastructure Croydon Council is set to revise its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule, aiming to generate increased revenue for infrastructure development across the... Croydon 27 September 2026
  2. Harrow Council confirms Article 4 direction on HMOs Harrow Council has confirmed a borough-wide Article 4 Direction, requiring planning permission for the conversion of dwelling houses into small Houses in Multiple Occupation... Harrow 25 September 2026
  3. Greenwich Council Adopts New Planning Delegation Rules, Shifting Power to Officers Greenwich Council has formally adopted new rules governing planning application delegations, a move that will see a significant shift in decision-making power from elected... Greenwich 25 September 2026
  4. Lambeth Local Plan development: Public health input sought Lambeth Council is seeking public health input to shape its forthcoming Local Plan, a crucial document outlining the borough's development over the next 10-15 years. The plan,... Lambeth 19 September 2026
  5. Havering Council Approves New 30-Month Timetable for Local Plan Development Havering Council has set a new timetable for its Local Plan, aiming to streamline the planning process under updated government guidelines introduced in March 2026. The new... Havering 18 September 2026
  6. Tower Hamlets Council Approves Roof Extension Adding Nine Homes Despite Affordable Housing and Waste Concerns Tower Hamlets Council's Development Committee has granted planning permission for a two-storey roof extension to the Theatre Building at 1 Paton Close, which will add nine new... Tower Hamlets 2 September 2026
  7. Tower Hamlets Council Approves £622k Affordable Housing Payment for Theatre Building Development Tower Hamlets Council's Development Committee has approved a £622,337.34 payment towards affordable housing as part of a planning application for a two-storey roof extension at... Tower Hamlets 2 September 2026
  8. New Mitcham development to include 1,308 sqm commercial space A new mixed-use development at 1-12 Majestic Way in Mitcham, featuring 1,308 square meters of commercial space and 249 social rented homes, has been approved by Merton Council's... Merton 1 August 2026