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Sir Sadiq Khan is set to unveil plans that will involve considering the development of London’s green belt to address the housing crisis in the city. In a speech in Greenwich, the Mayor of London will argue that the current situation of housing in the capital is unsustainable, leaving many Londoners unable to afford a home. The proposal includes releasing some green belt land under specific conditions related to affordable housing, energy efficiency, transportation infrastructure, and access to green spaces. However, the move has faced criticism, with City Hall Conservatives accusing the mayor of sacrificing valuable green spaces for political reasons.
This announcement marks a shift in Sir Sadiq’s stance, as he had previously opposed the idea of using green belt land for development, preferring brownfield sites instead. While the focus remains on brownfield land, the mayor acknowledges that it may not be sufficient to meet the city’s housing needs. The launch of a consultation on the updated London Plan, outlining development strategies for the next two decades, reflects the city’s new target of building 88,000 new homes annually. The current plan, reliant on brownfield development, falls short, leading to rising rents and increased spending on temporary accommodation due to growing homelessness in London.
The City Hall’s review of green belt land is in line with the government’s policy of utilizing low-quality areas for development, known as “grey belt” land. The mayor’s proposal seeks to identify additional options for securing land to meet the housing demands of London. By emphasizing the potential of underutilized green belt areas for housing, Sir Sadiq aims to provide quality homes for Londoners, with support from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. However, the proposal could spark conflicts with outer London Conservative boroughs that have resisted such initiatives, setting the stage for potential clashes ahead of the upcoming council elections in the capital.
While some local leaders and housing advocates endorse the plan as a necessary response to the housing crisis, others, such as countryside charity CPRE, oppose building on green belt, arguing that existing planning permissions should be prioritized. Critics like Andrew Boff and David Simmonds, from the City Hall Conservatives and Conservative MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, respectively, express concerns about the irreparable loss of green belt land and question the mayor’s commitment to protecting these vital spaces. As discussions continue on the future of London’s housing development, differing perspectives highlight the complex challenges facing the city and the competing interests at play
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