Category: Publications and Reports

  • LLDC Local Plan Examination starts this week

    LLDC Local Plan Examination starts this week

    Just Space has facilitated and submitted observations and objections to the London Legacy Development Corporation’s draft Local Plan. [The LLDC, a “Mayoral Development Corporation”, is in effect the 34th Borough in London and is responsible for local planning.]

    A Planning Inspector will examine the Plan in Stratford beginning at 10am on Tuesday 3 March. Address: Level 10, 1 Stratford Place, Montfitchet Road,
    Stratford, E20 1EJ. http://queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/our-story/transforming-east-london/local-plan/examination-of-the-legacy-corporation-local-plan (dead Link)

    Just Space says:

    “We consider the Local Plan is not legally compliant and does not meet the duty to cooperate. We also consider the Local Plan is unsound because:-

    •  It has not been positively prepared
    • It is not consistent with national and regional policy
    • It is not justified
    • It is not effective”

    Read the submission in full: LLDC Local Plan – Just Space representation October 2014

    Checked Michael Edwards 21 07 2025

  • Demolish or refurbish? new evidence

    Demolish or refurbish? new evidence

    Just Space and the London Tenants Federation are collaborating with the new Engineering Exchange at UCL where researchers have produced fact sheets and surveys of evidence for community use. This is a pioneering attempt by academics to focus their research on hot topics in the metropolitan community and has led to some first publications and to evidence to the London Assembly Housing Committee from Dr Sarah Bell and Dr Charlotte Johnson. More at  (dead link)

    engex muki sarah richard sharon
    Prof Muki Haclay and Prof Sarah Bell with Richard Lee (Just Space) and Sharon Hayward (LTF) at the launch on 27 October 2014

    The report is here

    Page checked (and new live link added) M Edwards 21 07 2025

  • Staying Put: An Anti-Gentrification Handbook for Council Estates in London

    Staying Put: An Anti-Gentrification Handbook for Council Estates in London

    Download ‘Staying Put’ low resolution here.

    Download ‘Staying Put’ high resolution here.

    This handbook explains why the regeneration of council estates often results in established communities being broken up and moved away, and housing becoming more expensive. It is designed to help local communities learn about gentrification and the alternatives they can fight for. Through the experiences of council tenants, leaseholders and the wider community in London, it contains ideas, stories, tools and resources.

    Staying Put is free to use by any individuals, community or amenity groups and campaigns, TRAs, students, researchers and all. We have included two download links above to enable the booklet to be circulated as far and wide as possible. There is a high resolution PDF also if anyone is able to print further copies for community based campaigns.

    We are currently working out how we will distribute the printed copies around London. Do get in touch if you are from a council estate or community campaign and would like some copies. We printed 1000 but this will not go round everyone so we ask people to be strategic. Thanks

    CONTENTS:
    1: What’s going on?
        • Council estates under threat
        • What is ‘gentrification’?
        • When is ‘regeneration’ gentrification?
        • The ‘consultation’ con
        • The ‘affordable housing’ con
        • What is displacement?

    2: What can you do about it?
        • Finding out what’s going on!
        • Public resources and Freedom of Information
        • More than just you! Getting together
        • Tenants and Residents Associations
        • Organising a local group
        • Telling your story
        • The consultation game
        • A word about the law

    3: Alternatives to fight for
        • Community planning
        • Neighbourhood Planning
        • Lifetime Neighbourhoods
        • Community Land Trusts
        • Co-operative housing
        • Community Housing Associations
        • Refurbishment
        • Community-led Self Build

    It is a collaboration between four groups and individuals:

    London Tenants Federation
    Federation of organisations of tenants of social housing providers at borough level and at London level. LTF provides information and research on London’s housing issues through accessible policy briefings and newsletters. It facilitates networking and information exchange at local and regional events, linking tenants and other community and voluntary groups. www.londontenants.org

    Loretta Lees
    Professor Loretta Lees is a London-based urban geographer. She is an international expert on gentrification and the policies and practices associated with it. She is working to persuade policy makers and communities that there are alternatives.

    Just Space
    Just Space is a London wide network of voluntary and community groups operating at the regional, borough and neighbourhood levels. It came together to influence the strategic plan for Greater London – the London Plan – and counter the domination of the planning process by developers and public bodies, the latter often heavily influenced by development interests. www.justspace.org.uk

    Southwark Notes Archive Group
    Local people opposing and writing about the regeneration &
    gentrification of the North Southwark area that has happened over the last 20 years. www.southwarknotes.wordpress.com

    Checked M Edwards 1707 2025. (Note that LTF web site is under repair)

    See also the 2023 Alternative Good Practice Guide to Estate Regeneration (in publications)

  • Constitution

    Constitution

    1. JUST SPACE Just Space is a London wide network of voluntary and community groups working together to influence planning policy at the regional, borough and neighbourhood levels.  It grew from sharing information, research and resources on the Further Alterations to the London Plan in 2007.
    2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The Just Space ethos is one of grass-roots networking, informing and supporting local communities so that their contributions to planning policy are empowering and effective. 
      It does this by:-
    • Maintaining an overview of strategic planning issues and their implementation
    • Providing mutual support to community organisations engaging in the London Plan EiP process
    • Raising awareness of London planning policies at local level
    • Cascading learning to the local level in a way that informs involvement in Local Plans
    • Working in partnership at the local level to develop new links between voluntary and community sector groups, groups concerned with equalities and active residents
    • Developing plain language information that is accessible for all Londoners
    1. MEMBERSHIP Membership of Just Space consists of organisations and community groups who are active in working on London Plan related policies and who are participating in the EIP process. Members at general meetings will consider and approve any requests for membership of Just Space. Groups do not have to be constituted to be members.  Just Space welcomes observers who are interested in developing their knowledge of London Plan policies or who may have an interest in specific policy areas and are keen to share their expertise.  
    2. MEETINGS General Meetings (the Just Space network) are held at least 6 times a year and are key to the success of Just Space, allowing members to come together to share information and expertise. Meetings will be chaired by a member elected at the beginning of each meeting. Just Space seeks rotation of the chair. A proper record of meetings will be kept. At least 7 days notice will be given of general meetings. There will be an Annual General Meeting (AGM) within 15 months of the previous Annual General Meeting.  AGM’s will require 28 days notice. Representatives of at least 6 Just Space member groups must be in attendance to form a quorum at General Meetings and at least 9 member groups at Annual General Meetings.  
    3. DECISION MAKING The main decision making body is the General Meeting, where decisions are made on the basis of consensus. In between meetings, a Planning Group set up by the General Meeting will deal with the implementation of decisions and the preparation of reports for the next meeting.  The Secretary and Treasurer will be members of and work through the Planning Group. Members attending general meetings can decide to set up sub-groups and to delegate day-to-day decision-making, including the conduct of any urgent business, to these sub-groups or to its employees. 
    4. ELECTIONS Just Space elects a Treasurer at its Annual General Meetings (AGM).  The Secretary will normally be the paid co-ordinator. Should the post become vacant during the year, a replacement will be agreed at a general meeting and will remain in post until the next AGM. 
    5. FINANCE The Treasurer will be responsible for maintaining the accounts, and will present annual accounts to the AGM. Funds will be lodged in a bank approved at a General Meeting. All cheques will require at least 2 signatories. 
    6. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION Just Space will publicise its activities through email lists, the Just Space website and regular conferences.  When responding to any press and media inquiries or issuing statements Just Space will only comment on issues where there is a consensus. 
    7. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION Amendments to the Constitution can take place at the AGM or at a Special General Meeting arranged for the purpose. The amendment proposed must be set out clearly in the notice of the meeting. Amendments to the Constitution must be passed by a two thirds majority of the votes cast. 
    8. DISSOLUTION Just Space can be dissolved by a resolution at a Special General Meeting.  28 days notice must be given of any such resolution and will require the support of two thirds of those present at a general meeting. Should Just Space be dissolved any monies, other than that which would be required to be returned to any funding source, shall be donated to a non-profit or charitable organisation with similar objectives determined by the meeting.
       
      This constitution was adopted at a general meeting held on 20 July 2012.
  • Universities

    Universities

    I suggest that this materialbe added on the end of the new LINKS. page so there is just one links page. M E.

    Just Space collaborates with students and staff in various London universities. If you are a community organisation seeking support which might be available from staff or students do get in touch via the Just Space coordinator (see contact page).

    To help community groups and researchers/students get the most from these collaborations, and avoid pitfalls, this “protocol” has been developed and modified. There is a comments area on the page for suggested improvements.

    A new, public-funded, network now exists linking researchers and ‘practitioners’ in UK housing: CaCHE Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence is a consortium of 13 partners led by the University of Glasgow. http://housingevidence.ac.uk Its web site lists publications and (past) events and a new section is planned which will be designed for tenants and housing activists.

    UCL (Bartlett School of Planning, Department of Geography, DPU and Engineering Exchange) have cooperated with Just Space for some years, supported by grants from UCL’s Public Engagement Unit and other grants from the departments concerned. This cooperation has been very valuable in the education of the next generation of planners and urban experts, has begun to influence researchers’ choice of topics and methods of participatory research – and produced some valuable research support for community groups.  More details here.

    King’s College London (Department of Geography) has been active in research and in the organisation of a major conference in 2013 as part of work that Just Space, London Tenants Federation, Loretta Lees (then at Department of Geography, King’s College London) and Southwark Group Archive Notes are doing with a small grant from Antipode, a radical journal of geography. The work includes the collation of hard evidence on gentrification-induced displacement in London and the need for alternative visions for community groups. It aims to demolish the planning policy orthodoxy of mixed communities in the UK as the social and economic panacea for supposedly failed council estates and to foster new thinking. Around 80 representatives from council tenant and other community groups (many of whom have been, or are currently, involved in campaigning against top-down regeneration / gentrification / demolition and displacement) and some students and academics engaged in the event. Download conference report and contents (PDF)
    http://www.londontenants.org/publications/reports/Conference%20Jan%202013.pdf

    Just Space also has valuable participation from individuals from Queen Mary (Geography Dept), Goldsmiths (mainly Centre for Urban and Community Research), the LSE (various parts), Westminster (School of Planning) and East London (LERI).

    edited M E Aug 2025

  • London groups

    London groups

    This page has links to groups, campaigns etc in London.

    Groups which are members of Just Space are also listed on the members page here. Among those member-groups, the London Tenants Federation comprises council (and some housing association) tenant groups across London, many of which also represent leaseholders in council property. It also includes coops and TMOs. The London Forum of Civic and Amenity Societies is an umbrella group for hundreds of local societies and has a very active and informative web site and occasional twitter feed.

    The London Housing Panel was established jointly by the GLA and the Trust for London to strengthen community voices and inputs to GLA policy on housing. A useful summary 2021 with onward links is at https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/issues/housing/london-housing-panel

    London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies

    London Tenants Federation

    EstateWatch.London is a new (2020) resource supporting council and housing association estate tenants threatened by demolition.

    Collective Community Action is a new (2021) campaign by a surprising group of community and business organisations https://www.collectivecommunityaction.co.uk (web site dead; organisation probably closed down)

    King’s Cross Railway Lands Group (closed 2013, archived by BL)

    London Gypsy and Traveller Unit

    Race on the Agenda (ROTA)

    Friends of Regent’s Canal http://friendsofregentscanal.org/main/home.html

    Future Transport London previously known as Campaign for Better Transport (CBT).

    London Voluntary Service Council now closed. In its place Just Space is participating in Our Way Ahead which is a grassroots network of London networks, formed as an alternative to a more corporate / NGO-based group The Way Ahead with this background.     Connecting Londoners is also a part of this constellation of discussions. Our November 2017 blog post is: https://wordpress.com/post/justspace.org.uk/2661 And here is a Feb 2018 write-up of a meeting from David Wilcox http://www.connectinglondoners.blog/2018/lots-of-plans-affecting-london-civil-society—now-we. Nothing much seems to have happened since 2018. The Our Way Aheadwebsite still exits but nothing has been posted since 2017.

    Waterloo Community Development Group

    Ladywell Society

    Latin Elephant

    East End Trades Guild

    Save Ealing Centre

    Ealing Matters– a network of 60 groups, and with a fine fly-through video of huge blocks in the pipeline.

    Selby Trust

    Friends of the Earth London.  has valuable guidance documents on community rights and especially FOI Freedom of Information requests. https://friendsoftheearth.uk/system-change/guide-community-rights-environment-and-planning-laws

    Age Concern London (now AgeUK London)

    Wards Corner Community Coalition Seven Sisters, Tottenham

    Our Tottenham

    Peckham Vision

    Friends of Queens Market Upton Park, Newham

    Reclaim.London is a campaign launched in March 2015. Web site lapsed.

    Reclaim our Spaces and the Ubele Initiative. That web sited discontinued but Ubele continues at https://ubele.org

    Communities influencing & challenging developments in London is a project led by the London Tenants Federation, with cooperation from Just Space and grant support from the Trust for London. It aims to provide a space for community groups to share and exchange around what’s happening in London’s largest development areas (opportunity and intensification areas) and to link groups that are attempting to influence and/or challenge plans for their areas. The project had a web site but it lapsed.

    Radical Housing Network formed in 2013 to link London and other British campaigns and to link also with European international actions and solidarity events. http://radicalhousingnetwork.org

    The Antipode Foundation cooperates with Just Space and has a blogpost on precarious London housing (indeed precarious everything) at http://antipodefoundation.org/2012/04/16/precarity-and-housing-politics-in-austerity-london-uk

    London Renters (The London Private Tenants Coalition) has a Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/LondonPrivateTenantsCoallition

    London Renters’ Union launched 2017.

    Digs is private renters in Hackney http://hackneyrenters.org/

    Brent http://www.advice4renters.org.uk/ (previously called Brent Private Tenants’ Rights Group)

    Camden Federation of private tenants http://cfpt.org.uk/

    Southwark Tenants is private renters https://www.facebook.com/SouthwarkTenants

    Lambeth Renters is private renters http://lambethrenters.wordpress.com/

    Tower Hamlets private renters http://towerhamletsrenters.org/

    Waltham Forest renters on twitter as @WF_renters but ¿no URL yet

    SQUASH Squatters Action for Secure Homes http://www.squashcampaign.org/

    Brent Cross Coalition http://brentcrosscoalition.blogspot.co.uk/ 

    Deptford is campaigning on Convoy’s Wharf http://www.deptfordis.org.uk

    Ledbury Estate https://www.ledburyestate.com

    Evictions: A London-wide group: http://evictionresistance.org.uk

    London Neighbourhood Planners – a new (in 2015) organisation of people doing neighbourhood planning
    http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=fcee4877ec5fc6d78ad5d96b9&id=182e41cd3b&e=bda9fdaba5

    London Citizens launched a Housing Manifesto in January 2016 at http://www.citizensuk.org/housing_manifesto_2016_launch

    Squatting London is a research project based at Sheffield University, led by Dr Samuel Burgum https://squattinglondon.wordpress.com/about

    Fix My Block is a new (2020) resource to help residents of social housing blocks secure safety improvements from their landlords. Legal and practical advice.

  • SUBSCRIBE and contact

    SUBSCRIBE and contact

    ConTACT US

    Michael Ball
    is coordinator for Just Space. He can initially be contacted at office@justspace.org.uk There is more about him on our blog.

    Robin Brown
    is the treasurer of Just Space: treasurer@justspace.org.uk

    Richard Lee
    is no longer coordinator of Just Space though remains active on many Just Space projects.

    Street address
    Just Space has no office or street address.

    Social media
    Just Space has joined Bluesky @justspace7.bsky.social No longer posting on Twitter/X but account is still up @JustSpace7 and the hashtag #JustSpace is used. Instagram @justspace.london

    JOIN JUST SPACE

    Go to Join Page

  • Members

    Members

    Membership of Just Space changes from time to time as new groups join and others withdraw or find that they can no longer participate effectively (usually under pressure from cuts). In addition to member groups, many others take part in Just Space activity.

    CURRENT CORE MEMBERS

    35% Campaign
    Age Concern London (now AgeUK London)
    CPRE London
    Friends of Regent’s Canal, previously Regent’s Network
    Friends of the Earth London
    Grand Union Alliance
    HEAR Equality and Human Rights Network
    London Friends of Green Spaces Network
    London Renters Union
    London Federation of Housing Cooperatives
    London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies
    London Tenants Federation
    London Gypsies and Travellers
    Protect Our Places
    Refurbish Don’t Demolish
    Renters’ Rights London
    Thames-Life Community Development Trust (Barking Riverside) 
    Friends of Queen’s Crescent Shops & Market (Kentish Town)
    Ealing Matters
    Friends of Regent’s Canal, previously Regent’s Network
    FOE West London
    MOPS (Morning Lane People’s Space)
    Wards Corner Community Coalition Seven Sisters, Tottenham
    Our Tottenham
    Save Shepherd’s Bush Market
    Hayes and Hillingdon Community Forum
    Waterloo Community Development Group
    Save Nour / Save International House
    Ladywell Society
    Deptford Action Group
    Friends of Queens Market Upton Park, Newham
    Latin Elephant
    Peckham Vision
    Southwark Law Centre
    PLUSH SE16
    Southwark Group of Tenants Organisations
    Bengali East End Heritage Society
    Isle of Dogs Tenants Association
    Save Brick Lane

    Other groups and campaigners

    who participated in developing the ideas that formed the Just Space Recovery Plan (2022) and/or the Alternative London Plan for a caring city (2026).

    Bags of Taste
    Capital Transport Campaign
    Community Centred Knowledge
    Community TechAid
    Dharat workspace provider 
    Estate Watch
    Fairville
    Friends of the Earth London Network
    Future Transport London
    Healthy Air Coalition
    Highbury Group
    Homes for All
    Kingston Friends of the Earth
    Living Maps Network
    London Living Streets
    New Garden Cities Alliance
    New Lucas Plan
    People’s Economy
    Protect Our Places
    Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union
    Public Interest Law Centre
    Radical Housing Network
    Ripple Effect 
    Thames Ward Community Project
    Watling Estate, Burnt Oak
    Lesnes Estate campaign
    West Kilburn Estate TA
    Camden Federation of Private Tenants
    Sustainable Hackney
    Haringey Defend Council Housing
    Community Plan 4 Holloway
    Kingston Friends of the Earth
    Save Waterloo Paradise
    Streatham Alliance
    Thames Central Open Spaces
    Southwark Group of Tenants Organisations
    East End Trades Guild

    technical support organisations

    Planning Aid for London This organisation exists to provide advice and support on planning issues to individuals and groups in London who cannot pay consultants. http://www.planningaidforlondon.org.uk

    Bartlett School of Planning, UCL and its collaboration with Just Space

    Links to other London organisations are listed here

    find locally-centred groupS by borough

    Coming soon: an interactive map

    Barking
    Thames-Life Community Development Trust (Barking Riverside) 
    Thames Ward Community Project
    Ripple Effect 
    Barnet
    Watling Estate, Burnt Oak
    Bexley
    Lesnes Estate campaign
    Brent
    West Kilburn Estate TA
    Camden
    Friends of Queen’s Crescent Shops & Market (Kentish Town)
    Friends of Regent’s Canal, previously Regent’s Network
    Camden Federation of Private Tenants
    Ealing
    Ealing Matters
    FOE West London
    Hackney
    MOPS (Morning Lane People’s Space)
    Sustainable Hackney
    Haringey
    Wards Corner Community Coalition Seven Sisters, Tottenham
    Our Tottenham
    Haringey Defend Council Housing
    Hammersmith & Fulham
    Save Shepherd’s Bush Market
    Hillingdon
    Hayes and Hillingdon Community Forum
    Islington
    Community Plan 4 Holloway
    Kingston
    Kingston Friends of the Earth
    Lambeth
    Waterloo Community Development Group
    Save Nour
    Kennington/Oval/Vauxhall Forum
    Lambeth Village
    Save Waterloo Paradise
    Streatham Alliance
    Thames Central Open Spaces
    Lewisham 
    Ladywell Society
    Deptford Neighbourhood Action
    Newham
    Friends of Queens Market Upton Park, Newham
    People’s Empowerment Alliance for Custom House (PEACH)
    Southwark 
    Latin Elephant
    Peckham Vision
    Southwark Law Centre
    PLUSH SE16
    Southwark Group of Tenants Organisations
    Tower Hamlets
    Bengali East End Heritage Society
    Isle of Dogs Tenants Association
    Save Brick Lane
    East End Trades Guild

    Former members

    King’s Cross Railway Lands Group (closed 2013 but web site archived at British Library)
    London Voluntary Service Council  now defunct. See paragraph on our LINKS – London page
    Selby Trust
    London Civic Forum (closed 2012)
    Black Neighbourhood Renewal and Regeneration Network (closed down)

  • About JUST SPACE

    About JUST SPACE

    Just Space is an informal alliance of community groups, campaigns and concerned independent organisations established in 2007 to act as a voice for Londoners at grass-roots level during the formulation of London’s major planning strategy, particularly the London Plan.

    Everyone is affected by planning but most people do not know how it happens, even though we all experience its effects: housing, parks, transport, pollution, and so on. The aim of Just Space is to improve the public’s participation in planning to ensure that policy and process are fairer towards communities, in a system that is dominated by the interests of property developers.

    The Just Space Network brings together a wide range of groups, some with a London-wide remit (such as the London Tenants Federation), others locally-based community groups (such as Latin Elephant and PlushSE16) and some issue-based, like the London Friends of Green Spaces Network. 

    The Network also has links with some of London’s Universities (UCL, CASS and LSE) whose staff and students provide research that the network can use alongside their own grass roots evidence. See more about student work on the Activity page.

    More on our activities

    Go to the Activity page

    Organisation and funding

    Just Space is run by volunteers with one funded role, the Organiser. We’re always looking for people to contribute their skills or get involved, and welcome any financial help.

    Current funding comes from Trust for London and we also receive funds from UCL The Bartlett through working programmes with students on mutually beneficial projects.

    MEMBERS
    We have over 80 participating groups. Some are core, long-term ‘members’, others are new or taking part in the work we’re doing.

    View our Constitution

    CONTACT Michael Ball, Organiser. Email office @ justspace .org.uk

    Sign up to receive news