The Mayor of London is correct to intensify his initiatives aimed at addressing the city’s housing shortage, yet there is no justification for doing so at the expense of conserving our natural surroundings (Sadiq Khan to announce plans to build houses on London green belt, 9 May).

We need to develop high-quality, affordable housing while also ensuring green areas that help mitigate air pollution and foster vibrant, livable communities. It’s worth noting that some areas within the green belt are poorly utilized, comprising abandoned car parks or industrial sites that serve no beneficial purpose.

If we are to proceed with construction, it should be in a way that respects and coexists with nature. This emphasizes the necessity for government intervention. Without robust, consistent legislation to balance the competing interests regarding land use and environmental protection, we risk further degrading our natural ecosystems in the name of development, ultimately harming those we aim to assist.

The planning and infrastructure bill illustrates an instance where the government needs to reconsider its approach to alleviating exorbitant rental costs while revitalizing urban spaces depleted of nature. Currently, part 3 of the bill complicates and raises expenses for developers, leading to a scenario detrimental to builders, the economy, and the environment alike; hence, it must be paused for thorough consultation.
Alexa Culver
General counsel, RSK Wilding

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