In this episode of Talk About London, Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon discuss the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation with its chair, Dame Karen Buck. The conversation covers the current state of the development, its significance for London's future, the importance of food production in Park Royal, the role of railway infrastructure, procurement partnerships, community benefits, sustainability efforts, and lessons learned from past regeneration projects. Buck emphasizes the need for flexibility in housing plans and the commitment to providing affordable homes while ensuring local communities benefit from the development.

Takeaways

The Old Oak and Park Royal area is crucial for London's future.

The development aims to create 25,000 homes and economic opportunities.

Park Royal is responsible for a third of London's food production.

Sustainability is a key focus in the development plans.

HS2 will enhance connectivity but is not a prerequisite for development.

Procurement partners will be sought to assist in building homes.

Local employment opportunities are a priority for the community.

The development will include a mix of housing types and tenures.

Lessons from past regeneration projects will inform current strategies.

Flexibility in planning is essential to adapt to future needs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, hosts Leanne Tritton, Chair of The London Society, and Dave Hill, founder and editor of OnLondon, are joined by Nicholas Boys-Smith, Chair and founder of Create Streets. Together they explore the state of London’s streets — from rubbish and “street scars” to the vital role they play in health, community life, and civic pride — and discuss what can be done to make them cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.

Episode Running Order & Timestamps

0:00 – 2:00 | Introduction

Leanne and Dave set the scene: why the condition of London’s streets matters for everyday life, civic pride, and wellbeing.

2:00 – 4:00 | Guest Introduction

Nicholas Boys Smith is introduced. He explains why human-scale, beautiful streets matter so much to how we experience the city.

4:00 – 10:00 | Why Streets Matter

How the design and upkeep of streets affect physical and mental health, mobility choices, and daily joy.

10:00 – 20:00 | High Streets and Community

The role of high streets as social spaces and economic lifelines. How tidy, well-managed streets encourage local pride and prosperity.

20:00 – 30:00 | Challenges and Solutions

Rubbish, commercial waste, potholes, graffiti, and clutter — what’s going wrong? Nicholas highlights practical solutions, from better waste management to community-led action.

30:00 – 40:00 | Cultural and Historical Context

London’s historic struggles with dirty streets and how civic attitudes compare to other cities around the world.

40:00 – 50:00 | Social and Political Implications

Homelessness, cycling culture, and political responsibility. Should London have a city-wide “clean streets” strategy?

50:00 – End | Conclusion

A reflection on the importance of clean, welcoming streets. Call to action for communities, councils, and politicians to put streets at the heart of London’s future.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Takeaways

Hashtags: #LondonPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

Keywords

Transport for London, Places for London, housing development, community impact, affordable housing, joint ventures, overstation development, retail spaces, small businesses, construction skills

Takeaways

• Places 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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Places for London

01:14 The Evolution of TfL's Land Strategy

05:13 Development Partnerships and Joint Ventures

10:28 Current Projects and Future Aspirations

14:20 The Housing Crisis and Community Needs

18:52 Overstation Developments and Their Impact

22:50 The Importance of Naming and Community Engagement

27:51 Introduction to TfL Development Challenges

29:13 South Kensington Station Development

34:40 Seven Sisters Market and Community Engagement

38:28 Retail Spaces and Small Business Support

42:58 Construction Skills and Community Involvement

29:13

South Kensington Station Development

38:28

Retail Spaces and Small Business Support

42:58

Construction Skills and Community Involvement

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Takeaways

• Housing 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.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to London's Housing Crisis

01:32

Understanding the Rise in Homelessness

06:01

Defining Homelessness and Its Impact

12:45

Strategies for Reducing Hotel Reliance

19:02

Achieving Dramatic Reductions in Temporary Accommodation

21:36

Rehousing Strategies for the Homeless

28:10

Challenges of Temporary Accommodation

34:49

Lessons Learned and Future Directions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

In this episode of Talk About London, Dave Hill, Editor and Publisher of OnLondon and Leanne Tritton, Chair of The London Society talk to Amos Simbo OBE and Dave Rogers about the challenges facing the construction sector in meeting the new targets for house building as well as the demands for commercial office space and infrastructure across London. Much rests on being able to attract young people into the construction industry.

Dave Rogers is the Deputy Editor of Building magazine and has spent over 30 years writing in and around the construction industry.

Amos Simba is the founder of Black Professionals in Construction (BPIC) which has over 11,000 members and is the founder of construction consultancy, Winway Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we discuss what we are trying to achieve with this podcast series about London and how plans and policies around the built environment shape our lives. Sometimes for better, sometimes not.

We also learn hear from the co-hosts, Dave Hill and Leanne Tritton about their motivates for making the world of the built environment more interesting and easier to understand. You will also learn more about OnLondon and The London Society and explains what has inspired the launch of TALK ABOUT LONDON and what they hope their guests can provide for listeners.

Links:

London 2012: From Waste Land to Gold Rush

When Britain Built Something Big

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Hill, editor and publisher of OnLondon.co.uk, and Leanne Tritton, chair of The London Society, hear from their guest Alexander Jan, a brilliant expert on the workings and economics of central London.

Many plans have been made to solve the problems of London's famous Oxford Street, but not many have come to fruition or worked for long. Many have called for its pedestrianisation, but that is far from as easy as it sounds. Alex guides us through the many, often conflicting, challenges, and points towards some ways they might be met.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.