Terms of reference: London Plan review - expert advisers
Published 22 December 2023
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2023
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Project overview
In July 2023, as part of a long-term plan for housing, the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities committed to a new era of regeneration, inner-city densification and housing delivery across England, with transformational plans to supply beautiful, safe, decent homes in places with high-growth potential in partnership with local communities. They confirmed that this work would initially begin in Cambridge, London and Leeds.
As part of the work in London, we looked in detail at the London Plan and what the barriers were to urban brownfield regeneration. We engaged with the GLA, London boroughs, developers and consultants to further our understanding of the key barriers to unlocking housing delivery in London.
Housing delivery continues to underperform in London, with an average 37,000 net additional dwellings over the past 3 years which falls considerably short of the Mayor’s London Plan target.
Further to the internal review, the Secretary of State has appointed expert advisers to offer views on whether there are specific changes to London Plan policies that could facilitate urban brownfield regeneration in London for housing delivery in an appropriate manner.
The expert advisers will be supported in this task by the external consultants Lichfields, and DLUHC officials.
Scope
The advisers, and supporting Lichfields consultants, have been appointed for their expertise in order to provide an independent and impartial view of the changes needed to the London Plan.
The expert advisers will assess whether there are specific changes to London Plan policies that could facilitate urban brownfield regeneration in London for housing delivery in an appropriate manner and, if necessary, recommend changes to the London Plan accordingly.
The output of the review will be a short report, delivered by 15 January 2024, to the Secretary of State.
Objectives
To consider and, if appropriate, make recommendations for specific changes to the London Plan. The Secretary of State will share the recommendations with the Mayor to consider their implementation.
To work with Lichfields consultants to ensure that there is an evidence base which supports the recommendations of the expert advisers.
To complete a report on how, specifically, the London Plan could be improved to facilitate the delivery of new homes on brownfield sites.
Project Outcome
The report will be submitted to the Secretary of State and the conclusions of the review will be shared with the Mayor of London in advance of publication.