Briefing note, available to members only.
DRAFT LONDON PLAN PANEL REPORT
HBF BRIEFING NOTE
The Panel report following the Draft London Plan Examination in Public has now been published. Overall, this is a favourable report that emphasises the shortage of housing in London and requires the Mayor to maximise the provision of additional housing in London.
The Panel have proposed a framework to facilitate this increase in the supply of new housing. Whilst endorsing the Gateway Strategy that concerns spreading development eastwards from the City, they recommend strengthening the residential component of town centres, delivering more housing through higher density development in suburban areas and maximising the re-use of employment sites. They also stress the need for a positive and pro-active response from the boroughs to achieve this increase.
Whilst the approach of the panel to increasing the housing supply in London is very welcome, the issue of ensuring that the boroughs embrace this objective is a matter of concern. It places considerable importance on the forthcoming Housing Capacity Study, which will indicate the potential level of new housing supply that can be achieved, for example through re-use of employment sites and raising densities in the suburbs.
It is also important that new housing supply is not deterred through excessive affordable housing requirements. The report has recommended that the borough affordable housing targets prescribed by the Mayor be deleted so that boroughs set targets according to local circumstances. This is a matter that will therefore be pursued through the development plan system.
The Mayor will now amend the Draft Plan. It must be recognised that the recommendations of the Panel are not binding upon the Mayor when he considers their report in revising the London Plan. The Mayor has indicated his intention that the amended London Plan be published by the end of the year.
Key Issues
· Increase in the net annual housing provision from 23,000 to 30,000.
(Note this is net of losses to stock on redevelopment and conversion, through change of use and demolition of residential property and accommodation falling into long term vacancy)
· New housing capacity study considered vital. Methodology and timetable to be defined and to feed into first Plan review (2006). Additional homes from employment land to be a key area of search
· Overall target of 50% affordable housing retained, but with clarification that the contribution from general housing developments (Section 106 proposals) would be less than 50% (reflects 100% affordable housing schemes carried out by RSLs)
· Split of 35% social rented and 15% intermediate deleted. Boroughs to determine the mix based upon local needs assessment
· Borough affordable housing targets of 35% or 50% deleted
· Requirement for 100% lifetime homes standards and 10% wheelchair accessible supported
· Purpose built student accommodation to fall within the definition of affordable housing
· Sub-region boundaries sanctioned. Sub-Regional Development Frameworks to be placed on deposit as Development Plan Documents rather than SPG
· London Plan to indicate where development can proceed in the Thames Gateway without requiring a flood-risk assessment during the first phase of the Plan
· All SPG to be listed including details of preparation, consultation and adoption. References to SPG in policies to be removed
· Principle of the Mayor having powers to enable him to be a party to S106 agreements rejected
James McConnell
Strategic Planning Co-ordinator