Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the 21 October 2025 Planning and Transportation Committee meeting of the City of London Corporation.

The committee was scheduled to discuss a range of planning and transportation issues, including proposed modifications to the City Plan 2040, Supplementary Planning Documents, heat networks, infrastructure funding, a new cycleway, and street naming. Several reports were also scheduled for noting. The meeting was scheduled to be held at the Guildhall and was also accessible to the public via a live stream.

City Plan 2040 Modifications

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding proposed main and additional modifications to the City Plan 2040. The City Plan had been submitted for independent examination in August 2024, and the formal examination hearings had concluded on 12 June 2025. Following the hearings, a list of main and additional modifications was prepared by the planning inspectors. The report sought approval to commence a six-week consultation period on the modifications. The report also sought authorisation for the Director of Planning and Development, in liaison with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee, to provide a City Corporation response to the consultation responses received. The main modifications included:

• Clarifications on the need to preserve and enhance conservation areas.
• Using the St Paul's Setting Study in assessments.
• How the Outstanding Universal Value of the Tower of London should be used and interpreted.
• Changes to contours at the southeastern corner of the City Cluster¹ and to include a new tall building site at Broadgate. ## Supplementary Planning Documents Update

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the progress of new and updated Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) to support the implementation of the City Plan 2040. The report sought authorisation to seek a formal strategic environmental assessment (SEA) screening view from environmental bodies and to conduct a 'call for evidence' on the SPDs. The SPDs included:

• Offices SPD (update)
• Culture SPD
• Planning Obligations SPD (update)
• An Inclusive City SPD
• Celebrating our Heritage SPD The report stated that the SPDs were considered a 'suite' of new guidance to support the emerging City Plan.

Planning Advice Note - Heat Network Supply Zones in the Thames Policy Area

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding a planning advice note (PAN) on heat network supply zones in the Thames Policy Area. The draft PAN sets out the policy context for developing strategic heat supply in the Thames Policy Area, indicates potential options for the mooring of thermal barges in the supply of heat, and highlights the decision to designate a strategic heat main as a nationally significant infrastructure project. The report sought endorsement of the draft PAN and approval to undertake a consultation on it. The PAN noted that the Energy Act 2023 established the legal framework for regulating heat networks in Great Britain, introducing measures to create an effective heat network zoning system. The PAN also noted that Cory Group's proposed strategic heat main project was recognised as a project of national significance by the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Infrastructure Funding Statement - Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) / Section 106 (2024-25)

The committee was scheduled to consider a report presenting the City's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 (S106) planning obligations infrastructure funding statement at the end of the financial year 2024/25. The report summarised the City's CIL and S106 balances, allocations and spend at the end of the financial year and updates the list of infrastructure projects or types of infrastructure the City will be wholly or partly funding by CIL. The CIL highlights for 2024/25 included:

• £31.05 million receipts in Mayoral CIL
• £21.19 million receipts for City CIL
• £24.63 million potential City CIL (CIL Liability Notices issued in 2024/25)
• £27.67 million allocated to projects
• £11.73 million spend in the year
• £46.86 million unspent City CIL allocations as at 31 March 2025 The S106 highlights for 2024/25 included:
• £9.84 million in S106 receipts
• £45.90 million in S106 spend
• £28.90 million potential S106 contributions secured from twenty-six agreements signed in the reporting year
• £73.27 million remaining S106 balance as at 31 March 2025

Aldgate to Blackfriars Cycleway

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the Aldgate to Blackfriars Cycleway. The report noted that in October 2024, the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee approved the Aldgate to Blackfriars Cycleway Gateway 3/4 report. The report also noted that a public consultation on the cycleway scheme was carried out, and the results showed that 79% of participants expressed a positive view on the proposed changes to deliver the cycleway. The report stated that a bus stop bypass is an essential facility for delivering continuous protected cycle lanes, which are critical to creating a safe, attractive and inclusive cycle route. The report also noted concerns raised by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the National Federation of Blind People UK (NFBUK) about the impact of the bus stop bypasses, particularly on people who are blind and visually impaired. The report presented five options for taking the cycleway project forward, ranging from proceeding as proposed to cancelling the project. The report recommended that the project be deferred until updated guidance on bus stop bypasses is published.

Naming of New Highway Maintainable at Public Expense: Greyfriars Square

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding the naming of a new publicly accessible square to the west of 81 Newgate Street, created as part of the St Paul's Gyratory Transformation Project, as 'Greyfriars Square'. The report noted that a public consultation was held, and Greyfriars Square was the preferred name. The report also noted that the new square lies adjacent to the current Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden, on the site of the former Franciscan Friary of Greyfriars Monastery. The report recommended that the name Greyfriars Square should be approved.

Advertising Board Update

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on advertising boards. The report noted that in March 2020 the Planning & Transportation Committee approved a City-wide ban of A-boards to ensure clear and accessible pavements. The report also noted that the implementation of enforcement was delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow time for footfall to recover post-pandemic. The report stated that officers had conducted a City-wide study to identify the distribution, location, and purpose of A-boards, and the study identified A-boards or similar obstructions at 830 out of 1,994 surveyed sites, representing 42% of the total locations. The report presented two options:

• Continue with current policy and begin engagement prior to enforcement.
• Amend the A-board policy to allow A-boards for wayfinding purposes by exception and proceed to public consultation.

Pipe Subways of Holborn Viaduct and Snow Hill over Thameslink

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the pipe subways of Holborn Viaduct and Snow Hill over Thameslink. The report noted that all the pipe subways that are the subject of this project have been found to have weak roof elements that fail for accidental wheel loading. The report also noted that since the inception of the project, other remedial works to keep the pipe subways in a good state of repair have become necessary, including concrete and metal repairs, as well as undertaking waterproofing. The report sought approval for an additional budget of £196,000 for Gateway 4 to allow for analytical work to be carried out.

Other Matters

The agenda also included several items for information, which were to be taken without discussion unless a member requested otherwise. These included:

• Legible London Section 106 Funds
• Quarterly Public Lift and Escalator Report - 1 July to 30 September 2025
• Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee Draft Minutes

The agenda also allowed for questions from members on matters relating to the work of the committee, any other business that the chairman considers urgent, and a motion to exclude the public for certain items involving exempt information.