What is the London Plan and what does it do?

    The London Plan is the Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London prepared by the Mayor of London. It sets out the Mayor’s vision for how London should grow over the next 20-25 years.

    The Plan sets out policies relating to a wide variety of issues, including how new development should designed, the type and number of new homes that should be planned for, how we can encourage active and sustainable travel, how we can make London greener, and how we plan for a fairer economy.

    The London Plan forms part of every borough’s development plan, meaning that it must be taken into account when planning decisions are being made in London. Boroughs’ own Local Plans also need to be in ‘general conformity’ with the London Plan, so that all boroughs are playing their part in helping to deliver the Mayor’s vision for Good Growth.

    The London Plan 2021 was adopted by the Mayor in March 2021.

    What is the role of London Plan Guidance?

    London Plan Guidance (LPG) provides guidance to developers and boroughs on how London Plan policies should be applied to new developments and through boroughs’ Local Plans.

    LPG is a material consideration for planning decisions and should be used by boroughs when they are drawing up their Local Plans.

    LPG is published in draft form for public engagement – and we take into account the different views raised when we’re finalising the guidance.

    What is an Equality Impact Assessment?

    The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) requires all public bodies – including the Mayor of London – to consider how their policies and decisions affect people who are protected under the Equality Act. The PSED requires the Mayor to have due regard to the need to:

    1.     eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited under the Act
    2.     advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
    3.     foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

    There are 9 protected characteristic groups:

    • Age
    • Disability
    • Gender reassignment
    • Marriage or civil partnership 
    • Pregnancy or maternity/paternity
    • Religion or Belief
    • Race
    • Sex
    • Sexual orientation

    Equality impact assessments (EqIA) are a way to capture the potential impacts – whether positive or negative – on different groups who share a protected characteristic. We develop EqIA for London Plan Guidance, informed by our understanding of evidence. These are published as part of public engagement and we welcome feedback and additional information on the EqIA.

    What if I need the survey or any other document in an alternative format?

    To request alternative format documents, please contact us by email at londonplan@london.gov.uk or telephone us on 0207 983 4591. You will need to say which consultation you would like to respond to, supply your name and postal address and state the survey format you require.

    You can then either submit your response by emailing londonplan@london.gov.uk or by sending a hard copy to:

    Free post RTJC-XBZZ-GJKZ

    The London Plan Team

    Greater London Authority

    City Hall

    The Queen’s Walk

    London SE1 2AA

    Can I view all the survey questions before responding to the consultation?

    Yes. A PDF version of the survey questions is in the ‘documents’ section.

    Can I respond by email to this consultation?

    We strongly encourage responses via the online survey, particularly from organisations with internet access, as this greatly assists our analysis of the consultation responses and ensures that we make best use of resources.

    If you require a specific survey format for accessibility purposes or if you do not have access to online facilities, please refer to the FAQ on alternative survey formats.