London Plan should focus on strategy and leave local issues to the boroughs

London Councils release 23 June 2009

The Mayor's new planning strategy should concentrate on setting out a strategic vision for the future development of the capital and not seek to interfere in local borough issues, London Councils has warned.

The message comes in London Councils' response to the Mayor's proposals for reviewing the London Plan - which sets out how London will develop over the next 20-25 years

London Councils has welcomed the Mayor's commitment to working more closely with the boroughs and outlines further ways in which the Mayor and London's local authorities can work together to secure a better life for Londoners.

However, it has also called for the boroughs to be able to have greater freedom and flexibility in using the policies set out in the London Plan to reflect local circumstances. This could include boroughs having a bigger say about making decisions about the types and size of housing to be provided which would enable them to make sure that a development is in keeping with an area and meets its particular housing needs.

London Councils has also called for a plan that benefits all parts of the capital while recognising that decisions made in one part of London will have knock on effects on other parts of the capital.

It also calls for the new London Plan to be less 'inward looking' and take account of the capital's relationship with surrounding parts of the South East, to help address issues such as housing growth and commuter movements through outer London. The plan should also ensure it continues to closely link in with the Mayor's other pan-London strategies.

London Councils' executive member for planning, Councillor Chris Roberts, said:

"Boroughs play a vital role in shaping their local communities and it is important to recognise that many planning issues are best dealt with at a local level. While there is a clear alignment already with a number of the Mayor's draft strategies we are particular keen to ensure that the London Plan takes particular account of his future housing and transport plans.

"This will ensure that unique local circumstances can be taken into account and will that any future developments enhance the quality of life for all local residents.

"It is important that we have a strategic vision for the development of the capital in the future - but it must ensure that it also gives London's councils the freedom and flexibility they need to handle their own local planning matters effectively."