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9th January 2015
London’s population is expected to hit an all-time high, surpassing its 1939 peak of 8.615m. The milestone could be passed as soon as today, but at the very latest at the beginning of February, says Barney Stringer, director of Quod. “Great cities rise and fall, but few in history have bounced back so strongly from losing more than two million people. London’s growth is so exceptional that it’s time to change our whole perspective on it,” explains Mr Stringer, who calls for a new approach to planning and investment within the city, one which is more ambitious and on a greater scale – such as that seen in “China’s growing megacities”. Population growth is projected to sit at a rate of roughly 100,000, meaning 10m will inhabit the city by 2030.
Evening Standard, Page: 1, 6, 7, 14
9th January 2015
A new poll has shown that 39% of Labour MPs would prefer to see the introduction of additional council tax bands, rather than a new tax targeting high value homes. Just 56% were found to support Mr Miliband’s proposed mansion tax. Separately, a body which represents a network of rural community councils, Charity, Action with Communities in Rural England, has called on the government to end the “bedroom tax” in rural communities with population numbers under 3,000 and to commit to building affordable housing in such areas.
9th January 2015
A Halifax report has found that the number of UK first-time house buyers rose 22% to 326,500 last year, a seven year high. The average price of a property acquired by a first-timer climbed to £171,870 – up 9% compared with a year ago, while the average deposit fell 7% to £29,218. Additionally, the bank found that the average age of such a buyer was 30, up from 29 in 2011. The average age of a first-time buyer in London, however, was 32.
The Guardian, Page: 26 Daily Mail, Page: 22 Yorkshire Post, Page: 4 The Scotsman, Page: 2
9th January 2015
A series of letters carried in the Standard discuss potential solutions to London’s housing shortage. Wayne Hemingway of Hemingway Design suggests properly utilising excess space to create high density clusters of housing. He also recommends splitting large developments between multiple firms and forcing them to work on schemes on an open-book basis, meaning if profits are high, the firm would be obliged to increase the amount of social housing offered. New London Architecture’s Peter Murray argues that certain boroughs needs to shoulder more of the burden, such as Bromley which delivers just 470 new homes a year. Crossrail is also said to be a force for good, as it will make far flung outer London areas a more viable option for many to live in. Peabody CEO Stephen Howlett claims the answer is a complex one, made up of better transport links, public land purchased at lower cost and strong partnerships between developers and public bodies.
Evening Standard, Page: 49
2nd January 2015
The second phase of English Cities Funds’ 650-home Rathbone Market Development in Barking Road, Canning Town, is to be launched in the coming weeks. Code named Aurelia, and designed by CZWG Architects, it will offer 123 private homes and a further 42 units for shared ownership, and features facilities for market traders, retail units and community spaces, and is part of the £180bn regeneration of Canning Town. Duncan Cumberland, Development Director for English Cities Fund, said “Rathbone Market is an enormously important development not only for the people of Canning Town but for the whole of the East End. Together, we’re creating an attractive and vibrant new town centre which will improve life for those who live here”.
Source: Newham Recorder (19/12/14)
2nd January 2015
The Far East Consortium has submitted plans to Tower Hamlets Council for a 63-storey development on the Isle of Dogs. The residential-led Alpha Square project, at Marsh Wall and Manilla Street in Canary Wharf, offers 700 homes, along with a hotel, health centre and primary school. John Connolly from Far East Consortium said "Prior to submitting the application, Far East Consortium consulted extensively with the local community and our application incorporates the feedback we received from the public exhibitions we held in September and the ongoing contact we have had with the local community”.
Source: The Wharf (23/12/14)