The Mayor of London has published a draft of his new London Plan, setting out how he wants the capital to develop over the next 20 years.
Launched on Thursday, the strategy proposes up to 558,000 new homes by 2037, including an emphasis on affordable housing. It also involves plans to identify land for industries such as artificial intelligence, life sciences and data centres.
Under the draft, some Green Belt land could be released for housing development in limited cases. City Hall said any such schemes would have to include affordable housing, improve biodiversity and have good transport links.
The plan also suggests measures to protect cultural sites including, pubs, music venues and theatres, while encouraging developers to design buildings that can better cope with hotter weather.
A 13-week public consultation is due to run until 15 October before the draft is reviewed by an independent planning inspector.
Khan said: ‘London’s success depends on how well we plan for growth and the choices we make about the kind of city we want to be. This new draft London Plan is a blueprint for how we can continue to build a fairer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone over the next 20 years.’
‘Over the last 10 years, we have built a record number of homes, but it’s a difficult time for housebuilding now due to a combination of high interest rates, the rising cost of construction materials, the legacy of the pandemic and the lasting impact of Brexit,’ he continued. ‘The new plan is about doing everything possible to meet the challenges we face on housing, as well as ensuring we deliver good growth, protect London’s nightlife, revitalise local highstreets, and support the industries that will be crucial to London’s future economic success.
‘This is how we can ensure our city remains the best place in the world to live, work and invest for decades to come.’
Jason Perry, London Councils’ executive member for planning, infrastructure and regeneration, welcomed the plan, but warned it must be a ‘collaborative process’.
‘As local planning authorities, London boroughs are responsible for preparing local plans and determining most planning applications. This gives boroughs a key role in delivering housing, infrastructure, and growth across the capital,’ Perry said.
‘We want a deliverable London Plan that recognises boroughs’ role in delivering more homes, supporting infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.’
Tara Livingstone, director of Planning at LUC, said Sadiq Khan is right to prioritise brownfield development, ‘while recognising that any Green Belt release must be carefully focused on sustainable, well-connected locations.’
‘The significant scale of growth London needs will bring difficult choices, including potential pressures on greenfield land, biodiversity, infrastructure and local character,’ she added.
‘Our evidence work for the London Plan aims to support the GLA in planning positively for these challenges, thereby ensuring more Londoners benefit from greener, healthier places that are better prepared for a changing climate.’
Image: MJ Tangonan/UnSplash
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