London’s housing crisis sparks major overhaul of city planning

In Short:
– Tom Copley discussed the streamlined New Draft London Plan, focusing on housing, growth, and necessary infrastructure.
– The plan introduces flexible affordable housing thresholds, ranging from 20% to 35%, based on local viability.

On The Connector with Belinda Coates, Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, discussed the draft London Plan, outlining a 20-year vision for the city.

The new plan aims to expedite the planning process by cutting its length and halving the number of policies.

It focuses on housing, growth, and the infrastructure needed to support new developments, particularly transport.

Copley acknowledged London’s housing crisis, highlighting that 1 in 21 children are homeless and living in temporary accommodation.

Major challenges include rising material costs, increasing interest rates, and the implementation of new regulations for tall buildings.

A key priority is to build homes near transport hubs to reduce reliance on cars.

“Places for London,” Transport for London’s property arm, is utilising land near stations to create connected homes, having built 1,700 homes and with 3,500 more under construction.

The draft plan also proposes selective release of some green belt land for development.

It introduces a new approach to affordable housing, moving from a fixed requirement of 35% to a tiered framework of 20% to 35%, based on feasibility in different boroughs, starting in 2028.