Jenrick signs off Khan’s London Plan

After more than a year of wrangling over the final details, housing secretary Robert Jenrick has signed off mayor Sadiq Khan’s London Plan. The plan lays out the policies for development in the capital over the next decade. The first draft was published in 2017 and has been through several revisions. Khan announced his intention to publish the new version last month but faced resistance from Jenrick, with requests for 13 changes. The housing secretary called for greater flexibility around the release of industrial land for housing and restrictions on tall buildings. Khan begrudgingly accepted the changes, saying he strongly objects but had been forced to adopt them. The plan also includes longer-term targets for 50% affordable housing in new developments, with space and quality standards, and proposals to tackle climate change. Confirming his approval in a letter on January 29, Jenrick said: “Now that you are in a position to be able to publish your London Plan I fully expect you to start working to dramatically increase the capital’s housing delivery and to start considering how your next London Plan can bridge the significant gap between the housing it seeks to deliver and the actual acute housing need London faces.” In a statement, Khan said: “Businesses, boroughs, developers and London’s communities desperately need the certainty of the new plan – even more so during the recovery from the enormous impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “The completely unnecessary delay in signing off my plan – which I sent to the secretary of state more than a year ago – has done real harm to confidence in key industries and among Londoners right across the capital, including the work to build more homes. “Finally, we can now get on with doing everything in our power to increase housing delivery and addressing the appalling legacy of the previous administration.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette