Please find minutes from our previous meetings on this page. You can download individual meeting minutes by clicking the buttons below.
This meeting sought to delve into the successes and challenges experienced by the GLA with regards to planning and meeting the ever-growing demand for affordable housing in London. Tom Copley credited the successes of City Hall to its delivery partnership programmes, collaboration with London’s Councils and a productive London Plan.
The recent meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group delved into critical issues shaping the future of planning. The discussion highlighted the lack of a universal approach to strategic planning, resulting in challenges in facilitating fair growth, addressing environmental concerns, and meeting housing demands effectively. Concerns were raised regarding the slow pace of planning processes exacerbated by new regulations and the need for targeted resourcing.
The APPG held a roundtable meeting with the Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board and Thames Estuary Envoy, Kate Willard OBE. The Thames Estuary is the most significant UK government-backed growth opportunity with the potential to build 1 million homes and create 1.3 million jobs. The meeting aimed to discuss the merits of public and private sector partnerships in stimulating economic growth, as well as Kate’s work in going above and beyond to deliver fair and green investment to the Thames Estuary.
The APPG convened a roundtable on housing and planning, where pivotal issues concerning the current state and future trajectory of the housing landscape were thoroughly examined.
The APPG’s meeting with Alan Carter explored Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), how the industry can navigate it and what the potential opportunities and challenges are.
The APPG’s meeting with Cllr Darren Rodwell underscored the urgent need for increased affordable housing in London and the UK as a whole. The discussion highlighted that the current rate of housing completions falls far short of the demand, with London facing a dire homelessness crisis. The allocation of grant money and the infrastructure levy came under scrutiny, with concerns about their effectiveness and the financial strain on local authorities. Overall, the meeting emphasised the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to address the housing crisis and the importance of a national dialogue to drive progress.
The APPG met with Peter Freeman, Chair of Homes England, to discuss the agency’s new Strategic Plan which has pivoted the agency’s focus to regeneration and placemaking. The meeting brought together a diverse group of housing industry stakeholders, each with unique interests and concerns. These ranged from the need to accelerate housing delivery to considerations about social rent viability, supported housing for individuals with disabilities, and the broader social impact of housing, including employment and skills development.
The APPG convened a highly insightful roundtable discussion with Lord Nigel Crisp KCB. The primary focus of the meeting was to explore the Healthy Homes principles and to examine their potential implications for the housing sector. Participants from various organisations and sectors engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue concerning the intersection of health and housing.
Rachel Maclean MP, Minister for Housing and Planning since February2023, met industry leaders to discuss a range of issues surrounding housing and planning. The group discussed decarbonisation andNutrient Neutrality, how the planning system could be streamlined for faster results, and the challenges of affordability for renters and landlords across the country. The Minister also kindly provided the group with an update on the Renters (Reform) Bill, the Levelling Up andRegeneration Bill, and the Government’s 2023 housing targets.
The APPG met with Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, for an all encompassing discussion to examine key aspects of policy related to the housing market and housing delivery. Issues discussed ranged from recent planning policy changes, constraints to social housing through to Nutrient Neutrality and the Infrastructure Levy.
The group met with the Minister for Local Government and Building Safety, Lee Rowley MP, for a roundtable discussion on building safety, building regulations, and the pressures to generate new housing supply. The participants also discussed the impact of ever changing government policy on the industry and expressed concerns about the potential contraction in the sector’s delivery.
Hashi Mohamed, top ranked planning barrister and author of ‘A Home of One’s Own’ met with industry leaders to discuss reforming the planning system and recent updates to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. The discussion covered issues including the provision of affordable housing, the wider economic impact of planning reform, the role the Levelling Up agenda can play in ensuring better outcomes for communities across the UK as well as numerous other issues.
Vicki Spiers, Chair and Nicola Pitts, Chief Executive of the Independent Networks Association (INA) joined industry leaders to discuss the Future Homes Standards paper by the INA. The discussion also covered issues with supply and distribution, GDPR issues that are presented in relation to smart homes and alternative energy solutions and the framework needed in advance.
On the 31st of March the APPG transferred many of its activities, including roundtable meetings and its monthly newsletter, to the Policy Liaison Group on Housing Market & Housing Delivery. You can find all the group’s roundtable summaries, minutes and reports until the 31st of March 2024 on this site.