Sir Sadiq loosens the Green Belt …but not yet all you can eat!

At the end of last week, the Mayor of London announced a significant shift in the approach to Green Belt across Greater London, as part of the launch of the consultation on the next London Plan.

The major departure from his previous position is that Green Belt will now be “actively” considered.

This contrasts with his previously held view of Green Belt protection across the whole of London. While there were hints that the Mayor’s view was changing (a manifesto commitment to protect the Green Belt was obvious by its absence in 2024), Friday confirmed the position. It should be noted that the same “active” consideration does not extend to Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). To the contrary, MOL is proposed to enjoy even greater protections.

The key driver for this announcement is the fact that London is expected to contribute approximately 88,000 homes a year towards the government’s 1.5 million home target.

As one might expect, the news was greeted with mixed responses. Many in the development industry saw this as a necessary move which should be welcomed, while those with anti-development agenda have started to show their opposition.

Since the announcement, further information about the process has become available which provides some food for thought and which demonstrates that this policy shift is not a “free-for-all” on London’s Green Belt, but as with all matters related to planning, politics and local engagement will be key!

The key point to note is that the GLA will carry out an assessment of not only all Green Belt land across London as part of this process, but also of all Grey Belt and Brownfield land.

This will assess the level of development which can be delivered and prioritise Grey Belt and Brownfield coming forward ahead of Green Belt land located near sustainable transport locations.

This will limit the level of potential Green Belt release, but of course, a policy shift and assessment does not produce housing, it merely provides the framework for the future.

It is at the local council level that decisions around these sites will be made and here where the real challenges and risks for those looking to deliver housing for London at these locations will come.

When planning applications for such sites start to come forward, those who have to date remained silent will begin their campaigns against such developments and seek to influence their local councillors.

Cratus understands how to work and succeed in areas where Green Belt is a political issue and such campaigns are common.

We do this through having excellent political networks and insight which informs dynamic and sincere community engagement which seeks out the silent majority in society who support new homes coming forward and demonstrate this to those key decision makers at local council level.

Now, more than ever, this approach to engagement and consultation will be critical to not only ensuring support for planning applications but creating new places that become communities.

If you are interested in discussing a site and how Cratus can help you succeed, contact Osman here.