Draft London Plan EiP update
As week 5 of the Examination in Public (EiP) programme of hearing sessions draws to a close (at time of publication, 1 March), the half way mark of the draft London Plan EiP is quickly approaching.
In February, the matters discussed have focussed predominantly on the draft Plan’s housing policies and, in particular, on the Mayor’s housing targets, overarching housing strategy, and small site and affordable housing policies.
On 6 February, during the hearing session on the Plan’s overall housing strategy (Matter 18), many of the participants questioned the achievability of the Mayor’s ambitious housing targets (i.e. 65,000 homes/year) - especially given past (under) delivery rates and the insistence for all of London’s growth to be met within its existing boundaries.
Failing any review of London’s Green Belt, as per GLA intention, the pressure of development will be felt most acutely in London’s Outer Boroughs and the Wider South-East. With little surprise, worries have been expressed by those representing both geographies, especially in regard to the possible impact that sudden growth may have on local and transport infrastructure.
Whilst the Mayor’s team at the GLA attempted to dampen these worries, stating that a plan-led approach to development will ensure that these considerations are accounted for, it remains to be seen how workable the proposed solutions will be in practice.
Specifically, significant expectations have been placed on the Plan’s small sites policies (expected to deliver 38% of the overall annual housing target), though many EiP participants highlighted how development on small sites are less likely to deliver affordable housing, or make significant contributions towards local infrastructure needs.
Further details on the Small Sites [M20] EiP hearing session are provided in
this Lichfields blog.
Over the coming weeks, the EiP panel will move on to matters relating to design, density, and tall buildings, as well the Plan’s policies on heritage and culture, industrial land use, and affordable workspace.
Lichfields is monitoring the draft London Plan EiP by attending several hearing sessions, and reporting on the main highlights. For further information, check the
London Plan EiP blog series on Lichfields’ website.
GLA, Examination in Public for the draft New London Plan
London Plan EiP, Written StatementsLondon Plan EiP, Hearing Session Agendas
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Quote of the month
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There are multiple risks associated with this policy around the boroughs’ and smaller builders’ ability to deliver, yet more than one third (38 per cent) of an already testing housebuilding target is reliant upon them doing so. It is important that sufficient support and appropriate incentives are in place to stimulate the development we need.
London Assembly Planning Committee’s written statement commenting on the draft London Plan’s small sites policy |
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MCIL2 to come into force on 1 April
On 1 April 2019, a revised Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy (MCIL) charging schedule will come into force, superseding the current MCIL1 charging schedule. MCIL2 will be charged on most new development across London, with the funding accrued from the levy used to support the construction of the proposed Crossrail 2 project.
The rates in the MCIL1 charging schedule will remain applicable to certain chargeable developments.
As with MCIL1, the MCIL2 charging schedule will have three different charging bands in place, with the rates varying depending on the development location and ranging from £25/sqm to £80/sqm. Furthermore, development comprising office, retail and hotel uses will be charged at separate rates (£140 for hotels; £165 for retail; £185 for offices) within a specific separate area covering Central London, as well as part of the Isle of Dogs.
Questions have been raised however, as to whether MCIL2 is justifiable, given that Crossrail 2 has yet to be formally endorsed by the Government. Despite these concerns, the Mayor announced earlier last year, that if Crossrail 2 fails to get the go-ahead from the Government, MCIL2 funds will instead be used to support alternative transport provisions within Greater London.
Mayor of London, Mayoral Community Infrastructure LevyMCIL2 Draft Charging Schedule
MCIL2 Draft Charging Schedule Supporting Information
Mayor launches Creative Land Trust to secure affordable workspace
The Creative Land Trust initiative was launched by the Mayor on 5 February. The Trust is a new public/private partnership, aimed at supporting London’s arts and creative sector through securing access to affordable workspace and studios in perpetuity.
With recent GLA studies warning of the effects that rising rents and loss of workspaces pose to London’s creative sector, the Mayor hopes that the Trust initiative will stem this decline. Access to fast finance will be offered to organisations providing affordable workspaces, whilst the Trust will also offer support to local authorities wishing to protect existing creative clusters.
The Trust also hopes to attract public, philanthropic and social investment funds, to help establish its own portfolio of properties, which it plans to lease directly to artists and creatives living in London.
In related news, the Mayor’s affordable workspace policies included in the draft London Plan will be discussed later this month as part of Plan’s Examination in Public. The session will take place at City Hall on 20 March.
Mayor of London, Mayor launches ground breaking Creative Land TrustMayor of London, 2018 Artists’ workspace annual data note - cultural infrastructure plan
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The Lichfields perspective
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Small sites would not normally deliver any affordable housing, particularly for sites up to 10 units or even for larger ones with high existing use values. They would be difficult to plan for en masse in terms of real infrastructure delivery – schools planning, etc.
Dr Malcolm Hockaday, Senior Director |
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Disclaimer: This publication has been written in general terms and cannot be relied on to cover specific situations. We recommend that you obtain professional advice before acting or refraining from acting on any of the contents of this publication. Lichfields accepts no duty of care or liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication. Lichfields is the trading name of Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited. Registered in England, no.2778116
