At a full meeting of the London Assembly today, a motion was agreed which expressed serious concerns about a number of the new and altered policies in the Further Alterations to the London Plan - the overall strategic plan for London. The motion singled out housing supply, opportunity areas, town centres, industrial land use, open space, exposure to air pollution, waste, and lifetime homes.
Nicky Gavron AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“The Assembly’s motion called on the Mayor to make a series of changes that would bring his London Plan alterations up to scratch. By setting a house building target well below what his own evidence shows we need, the Mayor is accepting defeat in the battle to tackle London’s deepening housing crisis. Without these changes, the alterations lock London into a trajectory that is at odds with key goals of developing a sustainable city.”
Jenny Jones AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“London’s businesses are being crowded out by a huge loss of industrial sites, killing off decent manual jobs. The Mayor should do more to protect industry, but instead with these alterations I’m deeply concerned he will accelerate the loss around town centres.”
Stephen Knight AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“We should be strengthening the air quality provisions included in the London Plan to actively discourage new schools, care homes or health clinics being located near existing air pollution hotspots, when less polluted sites are available. The updated London Plan is sadly a missed opportunity to take decisive action to protect children and vulnerable people from air pollution. “
Read the full text of the motion agreed at today’s meeting.
Watch the meeting on the webcast.
Notes for Editors:
The motion was agreed 14 votes for to 8 against at a meeting of the full Assembly today.
As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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