The London Society Podcast

• Talk About London | Planning Basics

  Hosts Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon, as they delve into the intricacies of London's planning system with planning expert Mike Kiely. Discover how planning impacts housing, infrastructure, and urban development in the capital city. This episode demystifies the planning process, explores the role of local councils, and discusses the influence of the Mayor of London.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction by Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill 02:15 - The Basics of the Planning System 05:30 - Mike Kiely on Planning Myths and Realities 10:45 - The Role of Planning Officers vs. Planning Committees 15:20 - Zoning Plans vs. Discretionary Systems 20:00 - Community Engagement in Planning 25:30 - The Mayor of London's Influence on Local Plans 30:45 - Challenges and Future of London's Housing Needs 35:00 - The Role of AI in Planning Departments 40:00 - Closing Thoughts and Key TakeawaysHashtags: #LondonPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Talk About London| Can Wimbledon expansion make everyone a winner?

  Explore the future of world renown Wimbledon in this episode of "Talk About London." Hosts Dave Hill, OnLondon and Leanne Tritton, The London Society are joined by Heather Topel, Estate Director for the All England Club, to discuss the ambitious expansion plans that promise to transform the iconic venue. Discover how the development of 38 new grass courts and a 27-acre public park will enhance the Wimbledon experience, offering significant benefits to both the local community and the broader public. Tune in to learn about the balance between tradition and innovation, and the exciting future that lies ahead for this world-renowned sporting event.Key Takeaways:Wimbledon's expansion includes 38 new grass courts and a 27-acre public park, enhancing both the venue and community access.The development aims to balance tradition with innovation, maintaining Wimbledon's iconic status while modernizing its facilities.Significant economic benefits are expected, with job creation and increased public access being key components of the plan.Environmental improvements, such as increased biodiversity and new public spaces, are integral to the project's success.Community concerns are being addressed through careful planning and engagement, ensuring a positive impact on local residents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• TFL - One of London's biggest landowners

  In this episode of Talk About London, Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill's guest is Graeme Craig, the chief executive of Places for London, to discuss the evolution of Transport for London's (TfL) land management strategy. They explore the establishment of Places for London, its role in housing development, and the importance of joint ventures with commercial partners. Graeme shares insights on major projects, the shift from car parks to housing, and the significance of overstation developments. The conversation also touches on affordable housing targets, community engagement, and the challenges faced in local development plans, particularly in South Kensington and Seven Sisters. Additionally, Graeme highlights the importance of supporting small businesses and the training initiatives for construction skills, emphasizing the need for community involvement in shaping London's future.KeywordsTransport for London, Places for London, housing development, community impact, affordable housing, joint ventures, overstation development, retail spaces, small businesses, construction skillsTakeawaysPlaces for London was established to manage TfL's land more effectively.TfL's previous strategy of selling surplus land was changed to retain and develop it.Joint ventures with commercial partners are crucial for maximizing development potential.TfL aims to deliver affordable housing in line with mayoral objectives.Community engagement is essential in understanding local needs and priorities.Overstation developments can provide significant benefits, including student accommodation.The importance of branding Places for London to clarify its mission and objectives.TfL has achieved a 56% affordable housing target on completed sites.The shift from car parks to housing reflects changing priorities in London.Training initiatives for construction skills aim to diversify the workforce and engage communities.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Places for London01:14 The Evolution of TfL's Land Strategy05:13 Development Partnerships and Joint Ventures10:28 Current Projects and Future Aspirations14:20 The Housing Crisis and Community Needs18:52 Overstation Developments and Their Impact22:50 The Importance of Naming and Community Engagement27:51 Introduction to TfL Development Challenges29:13 South Kensington Station Development34:40 Seven Sisters Market and Community Engagement38:28 Retail Spaces and Small Business Support42:58 Construction Skills and Community Involvement29:13South Kensington Station Development38:28Retail Spaces and Small Business Support42:58Construction Skills and Community Involvement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Talk About London: How Greenwich got its homeless out of B&B's

  In this episode, Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill discuss the pressing issue of housing in London, focusing on Greenwich Council's successful strategies to reduce homelessness and reliance on temporary accommodation. They are joined by Leader of the Council, Cllr Anthony Okereke and Assistant Director Housing Needs and Tenancy, Shaun Flook, who share insights on the challenges faced during the pandemic, the assessment process for homelessness, and the innovative solutions implemented to provide stable housing for residents. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration across departments and the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle homelessness effectively.TakeawaysHousing is the most critical issue in London today.Greenwich Council reduced its use of B&Bs by 84%.The pandemic worsened homelessness and housing insecurity.Councils have a duty to prevent homelessness under the Homelessness Act.Collaboration between departments is essential for effective solutions.Direct offers of social housing helped reduce hotel dependency.Temporary accommodation can be a long-term struggle for families.Public understanding of homelessness is often limited.Prevention strategies are more effective than reactive measures.Zero people in hotels is a significant achievement for Greenwich.Chapters00:00Introduction to London's Housing Crisis01:32Understanding the Rise in Homelessness06:01Defining Homelessness and Its Impact12:45Strategies for Reducing Hotel Reliance19:02Achieving Dramatic Reductions in Temporary Accommodation21:36Rehousing Strategies for the Homeless28:10Challenges of Temporary Accommodation34:49Lessons Learned and Future Directions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Talk About London: Earl’s Court Update - Regenerating a Lost London Landmark

  In this episode of Talk About London, we return to one of the capital’s most talked-about regeneration projects – Earl’s Court.Once the site of a world-famous exhibition centre, the area has stood empty since 2015. But now, the Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) is leading a new plan to bring life, jobs, homes and cultural energy back to this long-dormant corner of London.This conversation picks up where we left off in the London Explained documentary podcast, first released in October 2023 and featuring ECDC CEO Rod Heasman. A lot has happened since then – the masterplan has evolved, London’s economic context has shifted, and the need for high-quality, climate-conscious development has only grown.Leanne Tritton, Chair of the London Society, and journalist Dave Hill, Editor and Publisher of OnLondon speak with Rebekah Paczek (Director of Public Affairs, Social Impact and Community Relations) and Sharon Giffen (Head of Design) from ECDC for an honest update on what’s changed, what’s still to come, and when we might finally see diggers on site.They discuss the design ambitions, financial challenges, and political complexity of delivering across two very different boroughs – Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham – and reflect on what’s needed to make this new vision a success where earlier efforts fell short. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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