Londonforum hears about Mayor's new powers

The subject for a Londonforum open meeting on April 2 was the new powers the Mayor of London has acquired to influence the content of boroughs' planning policies and take over the decision on some planning applications.

The speaker at a Londonforum open meeting on Wednesday 2 April was Giles Dolphin, Head of Planning Decisions at the Greater London Authority. He described the provisions of the Greater London Authority Act 2007 which will enable the Mayor to direct changes to London boroughs' Local Development Schemes (subject to reserve powers of the Secretary of State); determine planning applications of strategic importance in London; and be the lead party for section 106 agreements relating to applications he decides. A lively discussion followed about the way the new powers are likely to be exercised, and their implications.