London's Opportunity Areas are key to planning development and can offer new homes and jobs.

London has limited opportunities for accommodating large scale development. Several suitable areas are identified in the Mayor's draft London Plan: 33 Opportunity Areas and ten Intensification Areas; these are listed on the Opportunity Areas locations page, with links to planning frameworks where available.

The Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks report  sets out the background and other information including current progress on Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks.

Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks report (Sept 2011) PDF (opens in new window)

Opportunity Areas

Opportunity Areas are London’s major source of brownfield land with significant capacity for new housing, commercial and other development linked to existing or potential improvements to public transport accessibility. Typically they can accommodate at least 5,000 jobs or 2,500 new homes or a combination of the two, along with other supporting facilities and infrastructure.

Intensification Areas

Intensification Areas are built up with good existing or potential public transport links and can support redevelopment at higher densities. They have significant capacity for new jobs and homes but at a level below that which can be achieved in the Opportunity Areas.

The Mayor's strategic leadership

The Mayor will provide encouragement, support and leadership for partnerships involved in planning Opportunity Areas, thereby helping to fully realise their growth potential. He will also encourage boroughs to realise the potential of Intensification Areas and will provide strategic support where necessary.

Planning decisions

Development proposals within Opportunity Areas and Intensification Areas should:

• support the strategic policy directions for Opportunity Areas and Intensification Areas
• seek to optimise residential and non-residential densities and provide infrastructure to sustain growth
• contribute towards meeting the minimum guidelines for housing and/or employment capacity
• realise scope for intensification associated with improvements in public transport accessibility and promote inclusive access including cycling and walking
• support wider regeneration and integrate development proposals to the surrounding areas especially Areas for Regeneration.