Representatives from local authorities across London and surrounding districts gathered at City Hall earlier this week to debate the matter of London’s housing need, future capacity and targets posed by the Mayor through Further Alterations to the London Plan (FALP).

The hot topic of discussion fell on the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) evidence base and conformity with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which requires local planning authorities to ensure that their plans meet the full, objectively assessed need for housing in their housing market areas. As such, the GLA’s accompanying Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA 2013) identifies a need for between 49,000 (2015-2036) and 62,000 (2015-2026) additional dwellings per annum (dpa). However, and as noted by the Inspector, Policy 3.3 of the FALP sets out a minimum target of 42,000 dpa. This results in a shortfall of around 7,000 – 20,000 new homes a year for London.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, local authorities from outside London – including Chelmsford City, Hertfordshire County and the South East England (SEE) Group, raised concerns of pressure on areas outside of London to accommodate any shortfall not met within the Capital’s own boundaries. Furthermore, representatives from the Gatwick Diamond Group suggested that the FALP should make explicitly clear that any shortfall will not be accounted for in the South East and that a full review of London’s capacity should be undertaken – including measures to reassess London’s Green Belt boundary.

Meanwhile, there was consensus between many of the London boroughs in opposing revised, increased minimum housing targets and ‘unrealistic aspirations’, which were deemed undeliverable over the plan period. As such and with one of the largest increases (2,736 dpa vs. 2,005 London Plan Target 2011) the London Borough of Southwark argued that the FALP is based solely on capacity figures with ‘no consideration of local requirements or how sites will be delivered over challenging timescales’ – as identified in the London wide Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA, 2013).

The City of Westminster also highlighted that given significant investment in infrastructure (such as Crossrail and High Speed 2) and the level of employees who commute and live outside of London, some of the Capital’s housing demand should be met beyond the current Greater London boundary.

An increase to strategic funding and greater support from the Mayor was also flagged by many as a key consideration if higher housing targets are to be delivered across London.

We shall report on the Inspector’s findings as soon as they are published later this year. Do contact your usual Iceni contact in the meantime if you have any questions.