Knight Frank identifies industrial land to help London’s housing targets

Knight Frank has found 328 hectares of industrial land with strong public transport connections in and around London which could be used for housing to help meet the mayor of London’s targets, according to its research.

Global property consultancy Knight Frank said it had identified the type of industrial land as stated in the consultation for the next London Plan, which will be published next year.

It also said it had found 12 retail parks either wholly or partially on protected industrial land in Greater London, in accordance with the consultation’s suggestion that “poorly performing” sites zoned for industrial use – including out-of-town retail parks - should be de-designated to “unlock” residential development.

According to the government, London needs 88,000 new homes per year over the next ten years to meet anticipated housing demand. Launching the consultation on the new London Plan in May, the mayor Sadiq Khan said City Hall would “actively explore” releasing parts of London’s green belt to address the capital’s housing crisis.

Knight Frank commented that such a significant scaling up of housing delivery would mean the need for new employment space and infrastructure.

Claire Williams, Knight Frank’s head of UK and …