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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to strategically release parts of the city’s Green Belt for housing development, marking a significant policy shift aimed at tackling the capital’s deepening housing crisis.
In a recent policy announcement, Khan described the current Green Belt protections as “wrong, out of date and simply unsustainable,” emphasising the need to adapt to the city’s growing housing demands.
Khan said: “We clearly face an extraordinary challenge. As Mayor, I’m determined to give it everything we’ve got – with a radical step-change in our approach.
“We’ll be working with councils and others to secure as many new homes as we can on brownfield sites, both large and small, but we have to be honest with Londoners that this alone will not be enough to meet our needs.
“That’s why I’m announcing that City Hall’s new position will be to actively explore the release of parts of London’s green belt for development.
“The perception many people have is that the green belt is all beautiful countryside, green and pleasant land, rich with wildlife. The reality is very different. The green belt can often be low-quality land, poorly maintained and rarely enjoyed by Londoners. Only around 13% is made up of parks and areas that the public can access.
“So given the quality of parts of the London’s green belt and the extent of the housing crisis, I believe the status quo is wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable.
“Development on carefully chosen parts of the green belt – done in the right way – would allow us to unlock hundreds of thousands of good quality new homes for Londoners. This would not only go a long way to ending the housing crisis but provide a huge boost to our economy.”
The proposal involves identifying and developing low-quality or inaccessible Green Belt land, often referred to as “grey belt,” particularly areas near existing transport links. This approach aims to construct hundreds of thousands of affordable homes, contributing to the target of approximately one million new homes over the next decade.
While reaffirming a commitment to prioritising brownfield sites, Khan acknowledged that this strategy alone is insufficient to meet the city’s housing needs, with current homebuilding at only 35,000 units annually compared to the 88,000 required.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has expressed support for Khan’s initiative, highlighting a collaborative “partnership approach” between the government and City Hall to boost housebuilding in London. Rayner stated, “I know Mayor Sadiq Khan shares my commitment to tackle the housing crisis and boost economic growth to deliver real opportunities for Londoners.”
The government’s revised housing targets now expect London to build approximately 81,000 new homes per year, a reduction from the previous target of nearly 100,000, aiming for a more realistic and deliverable figure.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and some political figures. The London Assembly passed a motion urging the Mayor to avoid using Green Belt land to meet housing targets, expressing concerns over the potential loss of community green spaces.
Khan defended the plan, asserting that the policy strikes a balance between housing needs and ecological conservation. He emphasised that development would focus on poorly maintained “grey belt” land equipped with transport infrastructure, ensuring that the core purposes of the Green Belt are maintained.
The proposal is currently under consultation and will be reflected in a revised London Plan set for release in 2026, with adoption anticipated in 2028.
As London grapples with a severe housing shortage, the strategic use of select Green Belt areas represents a significant policy development, aiming to provide affordable housing while maintaining environmental considerations.
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