London Local Plan Watch - Spring 2023

Despite clear progress from a number of London Borough’s over the last 6 months, many local authorities are struggling to progress to examination stage due to delays in meeting the requirements of the 2021 London Plan. In addition, there is uncertainty surrounding the future of the Housing Delivery Test and the need to meet their 5-Year housing land supply.

With local elections not taking place in London this year there is clear evidence that 12 months’ worth of certainty has moved the process along for many Boroughs. As it stands, Barking & Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Merton, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth are all at advanced stages of their Local Plan adoption process - although not all of these are in full swing at examination.

Despite the strength in delivery figures from the likes of Wandsworth, there have been blows to the 5-year housing land supply figures for some Borough’s with recent Inspector reports highlighting inaccurate Annual Monitoring Reports.

It is clear that the sheer volume of housing required by the London Plan is having a profound impact on housing land supply figures, and the constraint of the Green Belt and the lack of larger scale strategic opportunities in the capital is impacting the ability to meet supply requirements.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is already progressing with its evidence base for the next London Plan with online surveys during the last 12 months and additional phases of engagement expected this Summer to discuss key long-term challenges facing London.