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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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In this episode of TALK ABOUT LONDON, co-hosts Dave Hill (OnLondon) and Leanne Tritton (Chair, The London Society) are joined by award-winning landscape designer Charlotte Harris to explore the growing momentum behind London’s green revival—and how one of Britain’s most beloved institutions, the Chelsea Flower Show, sits at the heart of it.

Charlotte, a multi–Gold Medal winner at Chelsea, shares insights into what makes the event so extraordinary—from its scale and style to its £200 million direct economic impact and its deep cultural resonance. Charlotte reflects on how Chelsea have shaped her career designing spaces for RHS Bridgewater, commercial developers like Fabrix, and even celebrities like Cara Delevingne.

We then broaden the lens to look at the renewed focus on greening London. Is it a genuine revival or just a fashionable phase? And how does it compare to earlier moments in the city’s green history, like the Victorian park movement?

From public realm regeneration to private commissions, Charlotte offers a grounded view of how urban landscapes are evolving, and what planners, developers and designers need to do to keep pace with Londoners’ growing demand for natural space.

If you're interested in how plants, policy and public space intersect in the capital, this is a conversation not to miss.

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In episode 2 of Talk About London, Dave Hill, editor and publisher of OnLondon.co.uk, and Leanne Tritton, chair of The London Society, discover what Jules Pipe CBE does all day (clue: it's a lot), the difference last year's change of national government has made (clue: it's a big one), why urban planning is very, very complicated and what the chances are of a lot more homes getting built in London in the near future.

Jules Pipe CBE Biography

Jules Pipe is working on key priorities for the Mayor, including: implementation of the London Plan, major and community-led regeneration projects across the capital, providing Mayoral oversight of London’s fire and rescue service (the London Fire Brigade), and ensuring London’s infrastructure supports good growth, meets the needs of London’s communities and makes London a cleaner, greener and smarter city.

Jules has unrivalled knowledge of London government, becoming the first directly elected mayor of Hackney in 2002 and serving as Chair of London Councils from 2010 until he joined the Mayor’s team in 2016.

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In the fifth episode of this series, Dave Hill explores Brick Lane, which runs through the heart of Spitalfields in the East End and has a special place in London's history. For centuries, the narrow street and its surrounding area has been a place of industry and of sanctuary for incomers from other parts of the world.

In recent decades, this avenue has transformed into a creative and leisure quarter, full of cafés, bars, crafts markets, vintage clothing shops and entertainment as well as workspace. Central to this has been the reinvention of the former Truman Brewery, which stopped making beer in 1989 and became today's buzzing cultural and retail hub.

Seeking to build on its success, the Truman company has produced plans to develop a car park and yards within its complex, with the goal of adding to its widespread appeal. However, an alliance of opponents has been seeking to block the plans, claiming they will compromise the architectural essence of Spitalfields and have a detrimental effect on local businesses and residents, in particular Bengali Londoners who have been integral to Brick Lane's character for many decades.

This latest episode in our London Explained series aims to bring enlightenment to a contentious subject, with interviews, archive material and historical insights. It tells a more nuanced story about the issues involved, leaving listeners to reach their own conclusions about the best way to look to the future while valuing the past.

The podcast he podcast is researched, written and presented by Dave Hill, editor and publisher of the website OnLondon.co.uk and a London Society trustee, and produced by Andrew McGibbon for Curtains for Radio Ltd. It was supported financially by the Truman Brewery Company, with The London Society retaining full editorial control.

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