Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a shift in policy to “actively explore” building homes on parts of London’s green belt to tackle the capital’s worsening housing crisis.
The move comes alongside a warning that City Hall may intervene if boroughs fail to accelerate planning permission for new developments.
Sir Khan says current green belt restrictions are “wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable” in the face of soaring housing demand, with the capital requiring approximately 88,000 new homes annually over the next decade.
Policy shift to address housing demand
Sadiq Khan has announced a major policy shift, pledging to “actively explore” the release of selected Green Belt land in Greater London for housing development.
In a speech in Greenwich, Khan said the city’s housing crisis demands a “radical step-change,” adding, “we need to unlock hundreds of thousands of good quality new homes for Londoners.”
He acknowledged that the current Green Belt protections are “wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable,” emphasising the need for action to ensure London remains a city of opportunity.
Khan’s proposal marks a shift from his previous stance in 2016, when he told The Economist: “There is plenty of scope to fix the housing crisis without building on the Green Belt.”
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He now believes that with only 13% of the Green Belt accessible as parkland, selective development near transport links can address the housing shortage without sacrificing public green spaces. “I can assure Londoners that we’ll attach the right conditions to any release of the Green Belt,” he said.
This move aligns with the Labour government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes, with London expected to contribute 88,000 annually.
Khan’s plan also focuses on ensuring any development maximises affordable housing, energy efficiency, and public access to green spaces. “We’ll ensure we increase biodiversity and improve connectivity,” he added.
Decision splits opinion
The proposal has elicited a range of responses from various stakeholders. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner described it as a “bold proposal” that addresses the challenge of tackling London’s housing crisis.
Claire Holland, leader of Lambeth Council and chair of London Councils, expressed support, citing the urgent need for new homes: “There is a desperate need to build new homes, particularly more affordable homes.”
Conversely, the London Conservatives criticised the move, labelling it a “complete betrayal” of previous commitments to protect green belt land.
Planning experts have also weighed in. Philip Allin, Director at Boyer London, noted: “There are numerous examples of under-performing green belt in highly accessible locations that could now come forward for development… The key will be ensuring that the benefits are clearly articulated and delivered with buy-in from the London boroughs.”
Contextualising the housing crisis
London’s housing crisis is underscored by several pressing issues. According to the Office for National Statistics, the capital experienced a 10.4% annual increase in private rents as of October 2024, with average monthly rents reaching £2,172, according to the latest ONS figures.
Furthermore, the Trust for London estimates that over 183,000 Londoners are currently living in temporary accommodation, equating to one in every 50 residents.
This situation places a significant financial strain on local authorities, with boroughs collectively spending approximately £90 million per month on temporary housing solutions.
Public sentiment reflects the urgency of the situation. A survey commissioned by London Councils found that 56% of Londoners support building on “grey belt” land, particularly if the new homes are affordable to locals.
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