A prominent figure in the Conservatives’ shadow cabinet has committed to overhauling London’s planning framework if their party secures the mayoralty in 2028.

Sir James Cleverly, who serves as the shadow housing secretary, addressed the Tory party conference in Manchester, asserting that revising the London Plan would facilitate the construction of tens of thousands of additional residences.

The London Plan, crafted by the mayor, serves as a strategic guideline for the development of housing, employment spaces, and public transportation within the city.

In response, a representative for Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan remarked that the Conservatives’ promise lacks “any grounding in reality.”

The previous administration intended to review the London Plan, but former housing secretary Angela Rayner opted for a “collaborative approach” with the incumbent mayor instead.

Sir James emphasized the necessity for a Conservative mayor to effectively address the housing crisis in London.

He stated, “It is essential to have a Conservative rewrite the London Plan, concentrate on implementation, and release the tens of thousands of urgently needed homes in the city—preferably near transportation, the nightlife sector, and job opportunities. We should prioritize transforming brownfield sites into business and housing hubs, just as we did in Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park.”

He continued, “To accomplish this, we must tackle the overwhelming amount of well-meaning regulations and streamline them.”

A spokesperson for the mayor countered that “the vast majority of developments in London are already on brownfield sites.”

They further commented, “The mayor maintains a brownfield-first strategy while investigating additional measures to enhance implementation in the forthcoming London Plan.

“Ultimately, relying solely on brownfield development will fall short of addressing London’s substantial housing demands, which is why the mayor is considering the difficult choice of releasing some greenbelt land for housing projects.”

They also pointed out that the “disastrous legacy from the previous government” has crippled national housing construction, a situation further exacerbated in London by “record construction costs, a severe rise in interest rates, and the mismanaged establishment of the Building Safety Regulator.”

### Understanding the London Plan

Although many may be unfamiliar with the London Plan, this pivotal document significantly influences the city’s development trajectory over the next two decades.

Described as “the spatial development strategy for Greater London,” it is formulated by the mayor and outlines a vision for the city’s growth and development over the forthcoming 20 years.

It governs planning decisions related to new housing, employment areas, transportation infrastructure, and public spaces, with the aim of creating a more equitable, environmentally friendly, and prosperous London.

Each of the 32 boroughs in London is required to have local plans that “generally conform” to the overarching London Plan.

Furthermore, it is mandated by law that the mayor and their administration produce this document.

The inaugural plan was established by Ken Livingstone in February 2004, marking the city’s first comprehensive planning document in several decades.

Revisions of the plan were issued in 2008, 2011, and 2016, with a review conducted every five years. The current mayor is in the process of preparing the next iteration of the London Plan.

The latest version, drafted by Mayor Sir Sadiq, was published in March 2021 and can be accessed online.