While the Liberal Democrats continue to face challenges in cutting through nationally, their influence in local government remains significant, particularly across London and the South East. The party controls several South West London boroughs, including Richmond, Kingston and Sutton, and strengthened its position in the South East with recent election victories in both of Surrey's new unitary authorities.
For the development sector, this matters. With Liberal Democrat-led councils making decisions on planning, housing and regeneration across some of the country's most development-pressured areas, understanding the party's approach to growth is increasingly relevant.
Listening to councillors and MPs from across the country, there was a clear emphasis on giving local authorities greater freedom to deliver housing, alongside a willingness to work more closely with the private sector and explore different approaches to development.
This followed proposals set out by the Liberal Democrats ahead of the Conference, including a legally binding target of 150,000 new social homes a year, greater local authority control over Right to Buy and a new rent-to-equity route to homeownership. Discussions in Brighton provided a useful insight into how these wider ambitions might translate into delivery at a local level.
Housing and regeneration: giving councils greater freedom to deliver
One of the clearest messages from council leaders was the need to give local authorities more flexibility and control over housing and regeneration.
At one fringe event, councillors argued that the barriers to regeneration extend well beyond planning reform, pointing to viability, funding constraints and the difficulties councils face in bringing forward schemes. Rather than looking to planning changes alone, much of the discussion focused on how councils could work more effectively with the private sector to unlock development.
There was support for longer-term funding commitments and greater flexibility for local authorities, alongside recognition that investment in infrastructure is often needed to make regeneration schemes viable.
This more pragmatic approach was also reflected in discussions about the Green Belt, where some councillors made the case for considering development in well-connected locations as part of a more strategic approach to meeting housing needs.
For developers working in Liberal Democrat-led authorities, these discussions highlight the importance of understanding local priorities and demonstrating how proposals can contribute to wider objectives, whether through new homes, infrastructure investment or regeneration.
London's housing challenge: an openness to different models of delivery
The challenges facing London's housing market were a particular focus at a packed London Councils fringe event, where Liberal Democrat representatives discussed how the capital could increase housing delivery.
While social and affordable housing remained central to the conversation, with calls for greater freedom for councils to invest in their own housing stock, there was also a recognition that London needs to broaden its approach to delivery.
Councillors questioned the capital's reliance on a relatively small number of organisations to build new homes and discussed the potential for a wider range of housing providers and models. Co-living was specifically raised as a possible option for key workers, reflecting an openness to looking beyond more traditional forms of housing to meet different needs.
This was particularly interesting given the emphasis on social housing throughout the session. Rather than seeing different housing models as competing priorities, the discussion suggested a willingness to consider how they could contribute to meeting London's wider housing needs.
For those bringing forward residential development in the capital, this openness to a broader housing mix is worth watching, particularly where proposals can respond to local needs and demonstrate clear community benefits.
Turning local influence into delivery
Across the discussions in Brighton, it was clear that Liberal Democrat councillors are keen to have greater control over how housing and regeneration are delivered in their areas.
While many of the challenges raised were familiar, the conversations offered an insight into how the party is approaching them, particularly through greater local authority flexibility, closer working with the private sector and a willingness to consider different types of housing.
With the Liberal Democrats holding significant influence across local government, particularly in London and the South East, these priorities will be relevant to developers navigating the political and planning landscape in those areas.
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15 October 2026
