London Plan

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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

MBUL1: Spatial Strategy

This policy sets out how growth in London should be planned so land is used efficiently and there are good places to live and work, with the services, facilities and green spaces people need. The key elements are:

• Borough plans must contribute to delivering at least 558,000 new homes, enough employment space, and the facilities for growing communities
  
  
• New homes and jobs should be focused in well-connected locations, with as much as possible on brownfield land
  
  
• The Plan also identifies sustainable growth areas, including in the Green Belt, to make the best use of existing transport and services
  
  
• Affordable housing and public transport are set as key priorities in the delivery of this growth
  
  

MBUL2: Optimising the use of land and site capacity

This policy is about making sure new development uses land as efficiently as possible within London’s existing footprint, especially where there is good public transport and local facilities. The key elements are:

• It sets a framework which promotes more mid-rise buildings in more London neighbourhoods as areas change and evolve over time
  
  
• Small sites also play an important role in meeting London’s housing challenge, and councils are encouraged to make it easier for good quality homes to be delivered quickly on these sites
  
  

MBUL3: Tall buildings

This policy provides a guide for how and where tall buildings (these are buildings that are generally over ten storeys) should be planned, and boroughs then do more detailed work to define the locations and set heights based on local evidence. The key elements are:

• This Plan specifies a smaller number of locations where very tall buildings (which are over about 30 storeys) should generally be located. Developers are encouraged to focus any such applications in these areas
  
  
• All tall buildings are expected to be of very good design quality and to fit into the skyline and respect views and nearby buildings
  
  

MBUL4: Utilities—capacity, connectivity and resilience

This policy is about making sure utilities like water, energy, waste and digital services can support London’s growth. The key elements are:

• Boroughs should plan ahead to identify where more capacity or other improvements are needed and also how new development could help support this
  
  
• Developments are expected to design their schemes to manage demand, ensure sufficient infrastructure, and minimise the impacts of growth on existing communities
  
  

MBUL5: Sustainable transport to enable London’s growth

This policy establishes how transport can best support growth. The key elements are:

• It is only through Londoners using public transport more and also walking and cycling that London can grow sustainably and we can avoid a lot more congestion on the roads
  
  
• New development is expected to help fund and deliver transport improvements and to be planned to reduce reliance on cars and to manage freight efficiently
  
  

MBUL6: High quality design for a growing, changing city

This policy is about ensuring development is well designed and supports quality of life and good neighbourhoods as London continues to grow and change (as it has always done over many centuries). The key elements are:

• New buildings should respond to local character, create safe and legible streets, use durable materials and manage impacts such as noise, wind and climate risks
  
  
• Larger schemes should be independently reviewed early on to help design this in
  
  

MBUL7: London’s Heritage

This policy is about ensuring development responds positively to London’s historic environment. The key elements are:

• Boroughs should identify heritage assets and use this to inform good planning and growth
  
  
• The four World Heritage Sites in London—the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and the combined site of the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church—should be a key focus for protection, and up to date management plans should guide planning decisions
  
  
• Sensitive upgrades to historic buildings, such as energy efficiency and renewable energy, are supported where they respect heritage value
  
  

MBUL8: Inclusive design

This policy requires developments to be designed so they do not exclude people with different characteristics from being able to access and fully participate in using them. For example, it ensures that buildings are designed to support people who rely on a mobility aid to move about independently, or who are partially sighted.

MBUL9: Healthy Streets and Public Realm

This policy is about ensuring London’s streets and public spaces are welcoming, safe, greener and designed around people and their health and wellbeing. The key elements are:

• Public spaces should be designed to feel safe at all times of day, including for women and girls who may otherwise feel unable to use them
  
  
• Major developments are expected to create new or improved public spaces and involve local communities in their design
  
  

MBUL10: Security and safety

This policy focuses on designing safe, secure and resilient buildings and places, including addressing security and terrorism risks. Expectations are set for buildings to meet high standards of fire safety.

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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.   

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This chapter contains 13 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

GLE1: Sufficient and appropriate employment space

This policy is about ensuring that there is sufficient and flexible employment space in London to support economic growth and employment. The key elements are:

• Boroughs need to plan for a range of employment space to meet different needs (suitable for larger companies, small businesses, different sectors and community organisations for example)
  
  
• As far as possible the spaces should be adaptable over time
  
  
• Where development would displace small or independent businesses, space should be re provided or suitable relocation options secured
  
  

GLE2: Supply of industrial land

This policy is about ensuring London has enough industrial land to support business activity and essential infrastructure (like waste and transport facilities). The key elements are:

• Boroughs should work with each other to protect the land that is most important for this and provide further capacity in locations with good access for freight and logistics, while allowing housing growth in the most appropriate places
  
  
• The remaining industrial land should generally be kept for industrial uses, with changes carefully managed
  
  

GLE3: Data centres

This policy guides where data centres should be located. These are the big new warehouses that store, process and distribute digital information. They are essential for a modern economy (and the emerging use of AI) but their development in London must be done in a way that manages their impacts and makes them better neighbours. Boroughs should identify appropriate sites (including on grey belt), taking account of issues such as electricity capacity and the need to protect land for housing and other essential uses.

GLE4: Night-time economy

This policy supports London’s 24 hour economy and protects night time uses such as pubs, culture, hospitality and other services that operate late or around the clock. Boroughs should plan for growth in suitable locations (such as town centres and high streets), protect valued pubs, and ensure night time areas are made safe for everyone and that they remain viable as neighbourhoods evolve.

GLE5: Culture and creative industries

This policy aims to protect and help strengthen London’s cultural and creative industries, spaces and venues. The key elements are:

• Existing cultural spaces should be retained or replaced as part of new development, and new facilities supported in well-connected locations
  
  
• Creative clusters, affordable workspace and temporary cultural uses are encouraged to help culture thrive across London and ensure continued access to cultural opportunities for Londoners
  
  

GLE6: Visitor infrastructure

This policy supports London’s visitor economy and seeks to spread its benefits more widely, while managing its impacts. The key elements are:

• Visitor accommodation is steered to well connected, appropriate locations like central London and town centres
  
  
• Development should improve the visitor experience and provide inclusive facilities such as rooms and bathrooms that can be used by wheelchair users
  
  
• Short term lets that damage housing supply or neighbourhoods should not be supported
  
  

GLE7: Affordable workspace

This policy supports the delivery of affordable workspace for priority uses such as creative industries, community organisations and start ups. The key elements are:

• Boroughs should clearly define where and when affordable workspace is required, based on evidence and viability
  
  
• Where greater benefits can be delivered through off-site provision and community hubs, this is strongly supported
  
  
• Existing affordable workspace should usually be retained or replaced with space of equal or better affordability
  
  

GLE8: Access to employment and skills

This policy is about getting major developments to deliver jobs, training and apprenticeships for Londoners. The key elements are:

• Opportunities should prioritise local people, especially those who are under represented or out of work
  
  
• Boroughs are encouraged to work across boundaries to ensure training can be fully completed on different sites where necessary
  
  

GLE9: Aviation

This policy aims to ensure that the environmental impacts from airport expansion and operations are effectively addressed. It recognises the economic benefits it can bring but is clear that expansion should only proceed if environmental impacts are fully addressed and public transport improvements are delivered. New aviation technologies, like drones, must be carefully assessed for their safety, environmental and community effects.

GLE10: Safeguarded wharves

This policy protects safeguarded wharves to support water based freight and reduce pressure on roads. New development near wharves must be designed so it does not restrict their long term operation.

GLE11: Circular economy

This policy supports the shift to a circular economy – this means that waste is reduced, and better use is made of natural resources and materials. It sets out requirements for new developments to demonstrate how they have been designed to minimise waste.

GLE12: Waste

This policy is about ensuring that London has enough waste facilities to manage its waste sustainably. Boroughs should plan - often jointly - to protect existing waste sites and identify new or expanded facilities where needed.

GLE13: Aggregates and mineral resources

This policy plans for a reliable supply of construction aggregates as needed in London up to 2050. It applies to only four boroughs where this is relevant, and they are expected to allocate sites to meet their share of London’s aggregate needs.

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This chapter contains 11 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

GHR1: Energy efficiency

This policy requires new buildings and development to minimise energy use and reduce carbon emissions. This helps London to move towards net zero carbon but also minimises costs for occupants and helps manage demand on energy networks (that are facing increasing demands). It also encourages schemes to make use of on site renewable energy, like solar power.

GHR2: Low cost, low carbon heat

This policy promotes low carbon heating for new development. The key elements are:

• Major developments must assess the best option for their site, taking account of factors like long term costs for occupiers alongside carbon impacts
  
  
• Developments generating waste heat should identify opportunities to reuse it.
  
  

GHR3 Whole life-cycle carbon

This policy focuses on reducing carbon emissions from the construction, use and demolition of buildings i.e. their carbon footprint over their full lifespan. Developers must minimise demolition, use low carbon materials, and meet targets that have been set to reduce embodied carbon.

GHR4: Heat risk

This policy is about reducing overheating and heat risk in new buildings. London, as a city, gets hotter through an ‘urban heat island effect’ and with climate change it is due to become hotter. Buildings should be designed to stay cool using passive measures such as shading, ventilation and green infrastructure as far as possible. Using air conditioning is both expensive for users and for the environment as it uses more energy and worsens the urban heat island effect.

GHR5: Flood risk and drainage

This policy focuses on the role of new development in helping reduce the risk of flooding from heavy rainfall. With climate change, it is important to increase London’s resilience to this flash flooding. Boroughs need to plan co-ordinated drainage solutions and new developments should use sustainable drainage (which slows down, soaks, stores and cleans water as well as creating green spaces) wherever possible.

GHR6: Trees, biodiversity and geodiversity

This policy aims to protect and enhance trees, biodiversity and important natural sites across London. Development should retain valuable trees and provide new planting, help create new habitats, and deliver improvements in biodiversity.

GHR7: Green infrastructure and Urban Greening Factor

This policy promotes greener buildings and places through adding plants, trees and more natural landscape elements. It takes an integrated approach requiring major developments to look at how to incorporate nature into the urban fabric from streets to rooftops. Development should also protect and enhance existing green infrastructure and support wider green networks.

GHR8 Accessible green space

This policy is focused on improving people’s access to green space across London. Boroughs should identify and protect accessible green spaces, set local standards, and plan for new provision as part of growth. Meanwhile, development proposals should protect existing public open space and where they are creating extra demands, they should help deliver new or improved green space.

GHR9: Clean and healthy waterways

This policy aims to improve the health and cleanliness of London’s rivers and canals and people’s access to them.

GHR10: Air quality

This policy is about ensuring that new development does not adversely impact on air quality and - wherever possible - improves it. Boroughs should identify areas of poor air quality and plan improvements, especially in areas of significant change.

GHR11: Cycle and car parking

This policy is about parking provision in new developments for cars and bikes. If London is to grow sustainably it’s important that more people use space efficient ways to travel like public transport, walking and cycling. Therefore, the policy limits the amount of car parking in new developments (while ensuring parking for disabled people). It sets standards for cycle parking for different types of development to enable people who wish to own and use bikes.

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This chapter contains 8 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

PV1: Brownfield first Opportunity Areas

This policy supports growth in what are called Brownfield First Opportunity Areas. These are areas within London’s existing urban area that have significant capacity to deliver homes and jobs. They need to be coordinated and planned pro-actively to ensure they are supported by good transport, design and infrastructure. Proposals are expected to integrate with surrounding communities and involve local people.

PV2: Central Activities Zone

This policy is about supporting the heart of central London—called the Central Activities Zone (CAZ)—which is London’s primary economic and cultural centre. Development should protect and grow strategic commercial, cultural and experiential uses. The policy highlights that housing can be carefully integrated in some areas where appropriate so that it does not undermine the core activities in the CAZ. This means different approaches apply in ‘Core’ CAZ and ‘Mixed’ CAZ areas. High quality design, the protection and enhancement of heritage, and the quality of public spaces are essential.

PV3: Town centres and high streets

This policy supports vibrant, mixed use town centres and high streets. The key elements are:

• Development should support a diverse mix of shops, services, culture, community uses and housing and improve public spaces
  
  
• Town centres are promoted as suitable locations for mixed use and housing led growth, including reuse of surplus commercial space
  
  

PV4: Strategic economic clusters and corridors

This policy supports the growth of important economic clusters and corridors which are outside central London and town centres. The key elements are:

• Boroughs should identify these areas in local plans and support their development in well connected locations
  
  
• New development should provide workspace suited to the needs of the businesses and sectors that make up each cluster
  
  

PV5: Industrial land supporting housing growth

This policy enables housing growth on some industrial land where it will not undermine important industrial functions. The key elements are:

• Release of industrial land should be carefully planned and focused on locations that are well-connected by public transport
  
  
• Boroughs should identify relevant areas, working with neighbouring authorities and the Mayor
  
  
• Housing on industrial land that is not formally designated may be supported where it does not conflict with infrastructure or strategic needs
  
  

PV6: Metropolitan Open Land

This policy protects Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). This acts as a break in the urban landscape and provides Londoners with parks, nature reserves, open spaces and playing fields across the city. The key elements are:

• Any changes to boundaries and any development should only occur in exceptional circumstances, where clear strategic benefits outweigh any harm
  
  
• Boroughs should also look for opportunities to enhance access and quality of MOL
  
  

PV7: Sustainable development and enhancement of the Green Belt

This policy sets out how any release of Green Belt land should happen only in the most sustainable and well planned locations. The key elements are:

• Where Green Belt land is identified for growth, development should be carefully master planned, make the best use possible of the land, be supported by the necessary infrastructure and deliver real improvements and access to green spaces and nature
  
  
• New neighbourhoods must be mid-rise to limit the loss of Green Belt land and support access by public transport, walking and cycling
  
  
• Development outside designated growth locations will not generally be supported and must not undermine the overall growth strategy
  
  

PV8: Strategic and local views including the London View Management Framework

This policy protects London’s most important views and settings of landmarks. Development must preserve or enhance views of key landmarks (such as St Paul’s Cathedral) and World Heritage Sites (the Palace of Westminster, Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and Kew Gardens).

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