“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.
“There are two key objectives that underpin this new plan: to build as many affordable homes for Londoners as possible in the years ahead, and to boost economic growth by creating the conditions for businesses to grow and thrive across the capital, including the industries of the future, like AI and life sciences.”
Khan added: “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.
“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.”
REACTION:
Fiona Fletcher-Smith, group chief executive of L&Q:
“We welcome the Mayor’s ambition to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes and create the conditions for sustainable growth across London.
“At a time when housing need remains acute, a strategic approach that supports investment, unlocks development opportunities and prioritises affordability is essential.
“The draft London Plan recognises both the scale of London’s housing challenge and the importance of partnership in addressing it.
“We particularly support the focus on maximising affordable housing delivery, making effective use of land, and ensuring that growth is accompanied by the infrastructure, green spaces and services that communities need to thrive.
“As one of London’s largest housing associations, we look forward to working with the Greater London Authority, boroughs and partners across the sector to help deliver the genuinely affordable homes that Londoners need, while creating stronger, more inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods for the future.”
Darragh Hurley, chief executive of Mount Anvil:
“At Mount Anvil, we welcome the Mayor’s response to the mounting challenges of building more new homes for Londoners.
“In particular, we are encouraged that to see the focus on new homes delivery in the Draft New London Plan, and ongoing efforts to remove unnecessary roadblocks and face into challenging trade-offs ”
Dan Wilson Craw, deputy chief executive of Generation Rent:
“Homes are the foundations of our lives, but too many renters in London are stuck paying unaffordable rents while spending decades on social housing waiting lists.
“Creating many more genuinely affordable homes will be critical to making sure all Londoners can live and thrive in the capital.
“It’s particularly important to consider all opportunities to build homes, including close to railway stations in the green belt.
“We’re pleased to see the Mayor set out this plan and look forward to scrutinising it over the coming months to make sure it delivers for renters.”
James Stevens, director of cities at the Home Builders Federation:
“London’s housing affordability crisis is a challenge to the capital’s economic and social prospects so it is encouraging that the Mayor is focusing on improving the viability of new housing in this draft London Plan.
“Housing delivery has declined in recent years so a renewed emphasis on reducing administrative complexity and a streamlined planning process is welcome.
“We look forward to engaging constructively through the consultation to ensure these positive intentions translate into accelerated delivery on the ground.”
Pip Prongué, executive managing director of Wates Residential:
“Housing is fundamental to London’s long-term growth, competitiveness and investability, which is why we welcome a London Plan that seeks to align housing delivery with the capital’s wider economic ambitions.
“The focus on regeneration, brownfield development and creating the conditions for investment reflects many of the challenges and opportunities we see on the ground.
“As one of London’s leading regeneration partners, we know that unlocking complex sites and accelerating delivery depends on collaboration.
“Wates Residential is ready to build on its work with the GLA, boroughs and partners across the sector to deliver the affordable homes and sustainable communities London needs to thrive.”
John Dickie, chief executive at BusinessLDN:
“This new draft London Plan has a critical role to play in shaping development across the city, helping businesses to grow and ensuring the capital remains the best place in the world.
“At a time when developers are facing a perfect storm, it’s welcome that City Hall has listened to calls for this version of the plan to be more streamlined and strategic than the previous iteration.
“A more flexible approach to delivering the homes that Londoners need, recognising the importance of data centres to the capital’s future growth and taking steps to support the West End’s position as a world-leading destination are also positive steps.
“We look forward to working with the GLA and other stakeholders throughout this consultation phase and into the examination process next year to help unlock London’s full growth potential.
“With all types of development in London facing severe headwinds, it’s clear that we need to go further and faster to support delivery.
“As part of this, the new government must devolve powers and resources to enable London to invest in the infrastructure projects that are critical to unlocking sites for housebuilding and development across the city.
“Innovative public-private financing models are also vital if we are to see the investment that the city needs to support sustainable growth.”
Clare Miller, group chief executive, Clarion Housing Group:
“Every day we see what London’s housing shortage means for the families on our waiting lists, with many spending anxious years hoping for a stable, affordable home, so we welcome a more flexible approach to viability that will get more of those homes built for those who urgently need them.
“No single organisation can meet London’s housing need alone, and Clarion looks forward to deepening our partnership with the Mayor and boroughs across the capital to build the next generation of social and affordable housing.”
Christina Calderato, director of strategy at Transport for London (TfL):
“The London Plan recognises the vital role of transport in supporting and unlocking housing and ensuring that development is sustainable – a link this new draft embeds more strongly than ever before.
“In order to deliver the scale of housing that Londoners need, it will be critical to continue investing in transport infrastructure and commit to schemes including the West London Orbital, Bakerloo line extension and further metro-isation alongside ongoing investment in the existing network.”
