London Development Sites

23 March 2023

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to increase  the Bank Rate by 0.25% to 4.25%; two members preferred to keep the rate at 4%.  The MPC will adjust the Bank Rate as necessary to return inflation to the medium term target of 2%. Inflation unexpectedly rose to 10.4% in February.

22 March 2023

The ONS UK House Price Index for January 2023 shows that average houses prices rose 6.3% to £290,000 in the 12 months to January 2023. This is down from 9.3% in December 2023. London saw a rise of 3.2% to £534,000, which is the lowest rise  in the UK.

16 March 2023

A CBRE report 'The effects of regeneration on local property values', analysed 11 regeneration zones in London and concluded that locations within a 10 minute walk benefitted from an average additional 2% increase per annum in residential property prices. The locations analysed were Canary Wharf, Colindale/Burn Oak, Elephant and Castle, Greenwich Peninsula, Kings Cross St Pancras, Nine Elms, Paddington, South Bank, Stratford, Wembley and Woodberry Down. Paddington benefitted the most with a 5.8% increase per annum. The research attributes this to many factors including improved transport links, enhancements to the area's heritage, retail and green space.

9 March 2023

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey in February 2023 reports falling house prices based on their House Price Balance. The House Price Balance is a figure based on the difference between RICS surveyors reporting an increase in house prices and the number of surveyors reporting a decline. Although negative, the figure has improved from -45% in January to -29% in February. With the rental market, the RICS report rent rises due to continued supply and demand imbalance.

7 March 2023

The City of London Corporation is the first planning authority in the country to ask developers to carry out carbon impact studies for buildings over 1,000 sq m before submitting an application. The aim is to encourage reuse of existing structures thereby reducing the Square Mile's carbon footprint. 

2 February 2023

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to increase the Bank Rate to 4% from 3.5% with the aim to achieve the 2% inflation target while maintaining growth and employment. Two members preferred to keep the rate at 3.5%.

31 January 2023

The remodelling of Fleet House in New Bridge Street EC4 will create and an additional 1,800 sq m of office space and a public rooftop garden. Almost three quarters of the existing structure will be retained, substantially reducing the carbon footprint compared to a new build. The project is designed by HOK for Atenor.

18 January 2023

The London Legacy Development Corporation (LDDC) is seeking a JV partner for the development of the 5.1 hectare site at Pudding Mill Lane. Outline planning permission allows for 948 homes (45% affordable) and a minimum of 30,000 sqm of employment, retail and community space, valuing the scheme at £675m GDV. Pudding Mill Lane DLR is situated at the heart of the development, with Stratford Station, the London Stadium, the London Aquatic Centre, ArcelorMittal Orbit and the UCL East campus being in close proximity. Image Gort Scott Architects. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

15 December 2022

At the December meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee the members voted 6-3 to increase the Bank Rate by 0.5% to 3.5%. Two members preferred to keep rates at 3% and one member preferred to increase the rate to 3.75%.

22 November 2022

The City of London Corporation have approved plans from the Museum of London to create a world class cultural destination within the historic buildings in West Smithfield. The museum will be rebranded The London Museum. Photo Secchi-Smith.

3 November 2022

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to increase interest rates by 0.75% to 3%. One member preferred to increase the rate by 0.5% and one by 0.25%.

26 January 2024

The City of London Corporation has approved a 14,000 sq m office scheme incorporating landscaped terraces and urban greening at 30 Minories EC3N in the east of the City, replacing a postwar building. A Victorian warehouse building known as 'Writers' House', will be retained and repurposed as a community hub featuring an archaeological and cultural centre, along with retail space and affordable workspaces above. Artefacts from the excavation will be housed in a public exhibition, and the car park at Sheppy Place will be transformed into a green public space. City of London Corporation.

1 July 2022

The City of London Corporation have approved a 10 storey 12,102 sq ft office building at 3-4 Holborn Circus EC1. The building is designed by WilkinsonEyre architects for Evan Randall Investors and features retail at ground floor, a pocket park and a BREEAM pre-assessment rating of 'outstanding'.

8 March 2022

The City of London Corporation has obtained an Article 4 Direction removing the development right to convert offices to residential in the 'Square Mile' from the 1st of August 2022.

11 March 2022

Plans to transform London's oldest public park, Finsbury Circus Gardens, have been approved by the City of London Corporation. The scheme is designed by Architecture00 + Studio Weave and includes an 'urban forest' and a 100 capacity pavilion café built of low carbon concrete and Portland stone. 

29 July 2021

The City of London Corporation have received planning consent for a Maccreaner Lavington and Erect Architecture designed scheme of 91 affordable homes. The development includes apartments in three villas along York Way N7.

6 May 2021

The City of London Corporation has released updated images of how the City will look in the mid 2020s. The images include projects approved in the past 12 months notably 50 Fenchurch Street, 55 Gracechurch Street, 60 Aldgate High Street, 70 Gracechurch Street and 2-3 Finsbury Avenue. Key proposals in the City Plan 2036 include more animated ground floor spaces with pedestrian spaces through tall buildings and urban greening. Photo Didier Madoc.

24 February 2021

The City of London Corporation has approved an office led 38 storey development by British Land and GIC. The building, designed by architects 3NX, will provide more than 83,000 sq m of office space and over 700 sq m of retail space. A new north south pedestrian route will connect Finsbury Avenue Square to Sun Street. Photo 3XN

16 December 2020

The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced measures to allow cities and their high streets to recover from the damage caused by the pandemic. The measures will enable the council to support the delivery of 300,000 homes, encouraging family homes while prioritising brownfield sites and urban areas.

16 December 2020

The City of London Planning & Transportation Committee has approved architect ACME's next phase of 4C Hotel's Minories Masterplan. The Masterplan includes a refurbished 342 bedroom hotel, a new 250,000 sq ft office building and 87 new homes, together with a landscaped park and urban squares.

14 December 2020

Assael Architecture and Montreaux Developments have secured planning permission for 204 homes in two buildings hidden by woodland. The proposed development is located in Colney Hatch Lane, close to New Southgate station and represents 10% of Barnet borough's annual housebuilding target.