WPA responds to Westminster City Plan consultation
The WPA has formally submitted its response to Westminster City Council’s consultation on its Partial Review of its City Plan. Whilst described as ‘partial’,proposed policies could have far-reaching implications for development and economic growth in Westminster, so our submission is our most comprehensive ever.
We have secured the input of leading specialists in planning, engineering, sustainability and development from across our membership, to ensure the veracity of our analysis. WPA Board member companies, our Planning & Sustainability Committee and Planning Consultants Group, have all contributed time and expertise. Particular thanks to Gerald Eve, which has led on the drafting of these important documents, and AECOM, Arup, Buro Happold and many others, for their technical input. This has been a truly collaborative effort.
We look forward to engaging with the City Council on proposed modifications to the City Plan that would enable it to be found sound by the Secretary of State at the Examination in Public, and which would allow Westminster to fulfil its obligations under the London Plan to support jobs and economic growth within the Central Activities Zone (CAZ).
We would also urge all members to submit their own responses, by all means advocating the WPA’s position in the process. The consultation deadline has been extended until 9 May 2024.
Hosted in partnership with NWEC at Portman Estate's One Great Cumberland Place, this breakfast seminar will focus on the future of London’s most iconic shopping and cultural district.
Following a surge in demand for best-in-class office space across the West End and exciting new occupiers moving into the area, a drive in private and public sector collaboration and investment is helping to ensure the success of this vitally important district through initiatives like the Oxford Street Programme and Regent Street Public Realm Vision.
This event will explore the policy and planning landscape shaping the West End’s success as well as the delivery of public realm, infrastructure, office space and cultural experiences set to transform the heart of Westminster.
Date: Tuesday4 June
Time: 8:00am – 10:00am
Venue: The Orchard, Level 8, One Great Cumberland Place, W1H 7AL
We are delighted to announce that Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture at Westminster City Council Cllr Ryan Jude will be speaking at this year’s WPA AGM Reception. Cllr Jude will be discussing the Council's strategy for delivering a sustainable future in Westminster and the Fairer Westminster Delivery Plan.
Guests will also hear from WPA Chair Marcus Geddes (Landsec’s Managing Director, Workplace) on the Association’s major campaigns, research and priorities during a vitally important year for our sector, London’s politics and the economy.
Date: Wednesday 8 May 2024
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Venue: n2, 9 Bressenden Place, SW1E 5BY
Please note, this event is now at maximum capacity. To join the waiting list please click here.
Research update
On behalf of WPA and CPA, London Property Alliance has released a Mayoral Manifesto calling on the incoming Mayor of London to utilise their powers over planning, economic development and transport to bolster central London’s potential for growth and drive employment.
The paper asks the next Mayor to:
Introduce a new flexible approach to planning in central London
Secure long-term funding for TfL
Address infrastructure funding challenges
Ensure London fulfils its potential as a science superpower
WPA members supporting Westminster's young residents
A partnership between WPA and its Board member companies is helping to fund 2-3 degrees’ employability programme for young Westminster residents. WPA Chief Executive Charles Begley recently spoke at the charity’s 'Exploring the World of Property' insight week, speaking to young people about the wide range of job opportunities the real estate industry has on offer. Read more here.
WPA Annual Dinner
We welcomed over 450 members and guests to this year's WPA Annual Dinner at the Londoner Hotel. Guests heard from Chair Marcus Geddes (Managing Director, Workplace – Landsec) and guest speaker historian Dan Snow MBE. We were delighted to have raised over £5,000 in donations to support the work of our charity partner, LandAid in ending youth homelessness. You can view photos from the event here.
A look into Westminster’s retrofit-first plan
Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development at Westminster City Council CllrGeoff Barraclough has been interviewed by Architects Journal about the City Councils’ retrofit policies. In the article Geoff discusses the use of LETI data, definitions of retrofit, and assessment of applications. Read more here.
London is world’s most expensive city to build in
Increasingly stringent safety and sustainability targets have pushed prices in the capital upwards, according to new findings by Arcadis. Read more here.
Grosvenor to convert 20% of office stock to flexible space
The scheme will see the company create a 300,000 sq ft flexible and fitted workspace portfolio using its existing office buildings across London and other major cities. Read more here.
The Sustainable City Charter network has grown to 61 of Westminster’s leading businesses and institutions including Orbus Software, WPA Board member British Land, and some of the City’s most renowned cultural institutions, including Somerset House, The Photographer’s Gallery and the actors church, St. Paul’s in Covent Garden.
To find out how you can get involved in the free Sustainable City Charter to deliver a cleaner and greener Westminster sign up here.
For more information on the Charter and how to attend our signatory events get in touch with alice.dale@cwpa.org.uk.
Partner updates
Call for mentors to support diversity programme
Built By Us – an organisation dedicated to growing diversity and inclusion in the built environment sector is looking for voluntary mentors to help individuals from diverse backgrounds grow their careers (find out more here); as well as supporting budding founders of micro-businesses (further information here). We encourage interested members to get involved!
Opportunity to make a commitment to diversity
As part of its work to address the lack of ethnic diversity in the built environment sector, Future of London is looking for developers, consultancies, housing associations and London boroughs that can offer six to nine months paid work experience to participants of its Emerging Talent Programme. Please contact elaine@futureoflondon.org.uk to find out more.
This annual event brings together industry leaders, policy makers and trailblazers to share latest thinking and help drive equitable and sustainable investment and development across the city.
The focus for LREF 2024 is Reimagine, where they will challenge the industry to look at new models for funding, delivery and management to support the key challenges of our times.
As a key partner to LREF we are able to offer WPA members £100 off ticket prices using the code: LPALREF
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Venue: Guildhall, 71 Basinghall St, London EC2V 7HH
Both WPA and CPA members have access to our comprehensive database of all major decisions from central London's major planning committees. These can be viewed on our Planning News page,compiled in partnership with Concilio.
For more details on all of the property news stories in the central London boroughs over the last seven days please visit the news section of the London Planning website.
Westminster Property Association, 10 Bloomsbury Way, Bloomsbury, Holborn, London WC1A 2SL, United Kingdom
