All schemes in the capital will have to incorporate affordable housing, if proposals in the draft London Plan are implemented.
Mayor Ken Livingstones blueprint for the capital, which was published last week (see this Saturday’s Estates Gazette, Analysis, p47-51) proposes to scrap the thresholds governing when developments have to contribute towards affordable housing.
Currently, central London schemes have to include 15 homes, or 25 in outer London, before the developer is required to provide social housing.
The draft London Plan also states that, except in “exceptional” circumstances, all schemes should be mixed-use. The plan stipulates that all increases in commercial floorspace should be matched by equal increases in residential, as with Westminsters UDP targets.
City and Docklands schemes will be permitted to provide the residential elements off site.
Matthew Elliott, head of London office agency at Drivers Jonas, said: “This will increase the cost of development and will also require office developers to gain an understanding of residential development.”
EGi News 28/06/02
