Partnership approach to boost housebuilding in London

A review of the London Plan for housing ordered by the last government has been withdrawn by the Deputy Prime Minister to kickstart a new “partnership approach” aimed at boosting housebuilding in the capital.

In March, the previous Secretary of State directed London Mayor Sadiq Khan to partially review parts of the London Plan – which sets out the strategy as to how the city will develop and grow.

The Deputy Prime Minister has now withdrawn that mandated review, but has also set out that action is needed to deliver the homes London needs.

In a letter to the Mayor, the Deputy Prime Minister said she recognised the issues London faces and will work with the mayor to ensure he takes all possible steps to boost housing delivery and deliver the homes London needs. Withdrawing the direction will allow the government and Greater London Authority to take “a new partnership approach” to tackle the housing crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “I know Mayor Sadiq Khan shares my commitment to tackle the housing crisis and boost economic growth to deliver real opportunities for Londoners.

“Our new approach will take more fundamental action and focus on a partnership approach to build the housing that London needs and unlock the city’s economic potential.”

Under proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, London needs to build around 80,000 new homes per year – a record and ambitious number for the city at over double the current average number of homes built a year in the capital.

The government and the Mayor are committed to working together to take all possible steps to deliver these homes, including through proposed changes to housing targets and other reforms to the planning system.

In addition to this, the New Homes Accelerator will see the Ministry of Housing work with Homes England to further speed up housing delivery, and money will also be available for London through the £150M Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund.

This is part of a wider push to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years by overhauling the planning system and restoring mandatory local housing targets across the country.

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