Khan to back building homes on green-belt land in London

SIR Sadiq Khan announced plans to “actively explore” building on some of London’s green belt on Friday (May 9) in a bid to fix the capital’s housing crisis.

- By CHRISTOPHER MCKEON

The Mayor of London used the speech in Greenwich to argue that “the status quo is wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable”, with a generation of Londoners unable to rent or buy a home.

Under the proposals, London's planners will look to release some green-belt land for housebuilding, but with conditions on affordable housing, energy efficiency, transport links and promoting access to green spaces such as parks.

The announcement marks a change in stance for Sir Sadiq, who has previously argued against releasing green-belt land while there are still previously developed brownfield sites available.

While the Mayor is expected to continue prioritising brownfield land, told his audience on Friday: “We have to be honest with Londoners that this alone will not be enough to meet our needs.”