Delivering the homes and neighbourhoods (HN) Londoners need

This chapter contains 10 policy areas. These are listed below with a high level summary of what each policy sets out. Before completing our questionnaire ion this chapter, please read it in full.

Read the chapter here

HN1: Increasing London’s housing stock

This policy is about setting housing targets for the boroughs to deliver the homes that Londoners need. The allocations will be based on identified capacity for growth and this will be set out in the London Plan evidence base.

HN2: Protecting and reshaping housing

This policy protects existing homes and affordable housing across London. The key elements are:

Housing should only be lost where it is fully replaced or delivers additional homes for Londoners
Affordable homes must be replaced within the same or a more affordable tenure
Where demolition does occur, schemes should maximise the delivery of additional affordable housing and weigh social and environmental impacts carefully

HN3: Delivering affordable housing

This policy sets out requirements for affordable homes across London. The key elements are:

The Mayor wants as many affordable homes as possible, with an overall aim of 50%
However, with increased building costs, housebuilding has dropped significantly. The policy therefore sets different affordable housing levels for different types of development and different parts of London to reflect different circumstances. Schemes that meet these affordable housing thresholds will be processed more quickly, while those that do not will be subject to viability testing and future clawback mechanisms

Achieving the strategic target of 50 percent affordable housing does not mean that every development is required to provide half of new homes as affordable. For example, while new development on Green Belt land is expected to provide 50 percent affordable housing, new development on brownfield land is expected to provide between 20-35 percent affordable housing depending on the location. There will also be new developments that deliver more than 50 percent, for example Registered Providers or Local Authorities may deliver 100 percent affordable housing schemes. The Mayor also uses grant funding to support new developments to increase the percentage of affordable housing, especially social homes and council homes.

HN4: Gypsy and Traveller accommodation

This policy is about planning for the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities across London. The key elements are:

Boroughs should provide and protect suitable pitches, plots and other culturally appropriate accommodation
Each borough has been set a target. New sites should be accessible, well connected and designed to meet the needs of residents

HN5: Managing specialist accommodation

This policy supports the delivery of well designed and well managed specialist housing, which includes student, shared living, and supported and older person’s accommodation. These should be in well-connected locations and support the aim for mixed neighbourhoods.

HN6: Built to rent

This policy supports Build to Rent housing as an important part of meeting London’s housing needs. The key elements are:

Schemes must provide affordable housing at discounted rents, including a proportion at Key Worker Living Rent (which is a new product designed to cater for workers who keep London functioning ) - and this must be secured permanently. It is also expected that there will be clear and reasonable service charges

HN7: Housing size mix

This policy focuses on the mix of new housing, looking at ensuring different sized homes to meet different needs. The evidence for London overall shows that increased numbers of 1-2 bedroom homes are needed in London alongside a proportion of family homes. The mix should be informed by the London-wide evidence of housing demand, with affordable housing requirements being set by boroughs to reflect local need. This aims to ensure an appropriate balance to meet need and deliver mixed and inclusive communities while avoiding making development unaffordable.

HN8: Housing design

This policy is about making sure that new housing is good quality, well designed and fit for long-term use. The key elements are:

Homes should have good light, ventilation, space and private outdoor space
Outdoor shared areas and playspace should also be provided
While there is a preference for dual-aspect homes, this must not undermine the efficiency of layouts of buildings and thereby the overall delivery of affordable homes
There should be no visual distinction between affordable and private housing

HN9: Accessible housing

This policy is about providing genuine choice of housing for people with accessibility needs. The key elements are:

New housing must deliver a mix of wheelchair accessible, wheelchair-adaptable and accessible homes
Other types of accommodation (for example student, shared living or hotels) must also include accessible rooms and facilities
Existing wheelchair user homes should be protected and only lost where they are fully replaced
Accessible design must be embedded from the outset and supported by expert input on major schemes

HN10: Burial space

This policy aims to ensure that London has enough burial space in the future. Boroughs should plan to meet the overall need as well as specific requirements that there may be for particular cultural or faith groups. This will involve first exploring re use and expansion of existing sites before identifying new locations, including in the Green Belt where needed.

Click here to return to the main page