Govt announces measures to support London housebuilding

The government has announced a package of support to accelerate housebuilding in London, including introducing a temporary “fast-tracked planning route” for projects delivering at least 20% affordable housing, a reduction from the current 35% threshold.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) acknowledged the “significant challenges” housebuilding in London had faced in recent years, including “high interest rates, spiralling construction costs, regulatory blockers and wider economic conditions”.

In a policy paper from the government and mayor of London, the two entities explained that schemes providing at least 20% affordable housing on private land with a 60:40 split between social rent and intermediate tenures would be “accelerated” and not have to undertake a viability assessment. This is subject to consultation.

In other measures, the mayor of London will be granted new powers to “fast-track” housing, including the ability to review and call-in housing schemes of 50 homes or more “where boroughs are minded to refuse”.

City Hall will also be able to decide upon schemes of 1,000 sqm or more on green belt.

In certain cases, the mayor of London will also be able to expedite the call-in process without a full hearing process, cutting …