In a bold shift in planning policy, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that City Hall will actively explore releasing parts of London’s green belt for development.
The move is part of a radical new approach to address the capital’s deepening housing crisis, which requires the construction of 88,000 new homes annually over the next decade—nearly one million homes in total.
The Mayor acknowledged that relying solely on brownfield land is no longer sufficient to meet housing demand. He described the current approach as “wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable,” arguing that some areas of the green belt are low-quality, poorly maintained, and inaccessible to the public.
By carefully selecting areas for development, the Mayor believes the city can unlock hundreds of thousands of new homes, including much-needed social and affordable housing, while also boosting the economy.
Khan emphasised that any green belt release would be conditional on delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes, increasing biodiversity, and improving public access to green spaces. He also stressed the importance of aligning new developments with transport infrastructure, including proposed extensions to the Bakerloo line and Docklands Light Railway, and the metro-isation of London’s rail network.
Commenting on this need to build on the green belt, 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 announcement coincides with the launch of a public consultation to shape the next London Plan, which will guide the capital’s development over the next 20 to 25 years. The plan’s core objectives include fixing the housing crisis, delivering sustainable economic growth, and protecting the environment.
Khan called on environmental campaigners and developers to work together to create a greener, fairer London. He also urged Londoners to keep an open mind and consider the latest evidence on both the housing crisis and the green belt.
This initiative builds on the Mayor’s record of delivering more homes than at any time since the 1930s, increasing affordable housing in major developments to 42%, and starting over 25,000 affordable homes in 2023 alone.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner welcomed the new approach, saying:
“We all know someone who has been affected by the acute and entrenched housing crisis we’ve inherited, and the picture in London is as stark as anywhere. A whole generation of Londoners will be able to tell you of the horror stories they've faced while trying to find a suitable home in our capital.
“We cannot end the housing crisis and build the 1.5 million homes we need without London being ambitious in its approach. That’s why the government welcomes the bold proposal announced by the Mayor today, which rises to the challenge of tackling London’s housing crisis. The Mayor of London has our backing to deliver the housing this city needs, in line with our ambition nationally, to unlock the dream of a secure home for a generation.”
Image credit: iStock
