100 days after Sadiq Khan’s election as mayor of London, Estates Gazette takes a look at the key milestones of his tenure and how he is progressing with his campaign pledges. Wider political changes post-Brexit may be beyond his control. But what has he done so far?
His campaign pledges
In the run up to the mayoral election, Khan said his top priority was to:
“Tackle the housing crisis, build thousands more homes for Londoners each year, set an ambitious target of 50% of new homes being genuinely affordable, and get a
better deal for renters.”
Pledges included:
- Increasing housebuilding to 50,000 a year
- More affordable homes, and more going to Londoners
- Using public land for housebuilding
- A London living rent for affordable schemes, based on a third of local salaries
- “Use it or lose it” powers on sites not built out
- Protection of the green belt
How much affordable?
The to-ing and fro-ing with regard to the level of affordable housing required for developments has been a major bump in the road since Khan took office.
Before being elected, he said that 50% of housing developments needed to be affordable. However, within a month, newly appointed deputy mayor for housing James Murray said this was a strategic, long-term target, and would not be required on every scheme.
By the end of July, Estates Gazette revealed that Khan was considering a 35% flat rate across private schemes, while hoping to increase affordable provision on publicly controlled sites.
While some argue that higher affordable requirements will make some schemes unviable, others said that a fixed rule for all would provide more clarity from the beginning and reduce the delay in determining viability.
Building the team
James Murray, deputy mayor for housing
According to the mayor’s office, since being appointed, Islington councillor for housing and development James Murray has been talking tirelessly to developers, and in his first interview with EG in May he was keen to reassure the private sector about campaign claims. He has shown strong support for rental development, and said he wants to work with developers.
In his first Question Time he said his immediate focus was building more homes and making the planning system more efficient.
Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills
Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe will be responsible for regeneration projects, infrastructure and upskilling younger people. He will lead on revisions to the London Plan.
In his first interview with EG, he said: “Private companies and shareholders have legitimate expectations for a return on their investment. But it has to be a fair return and it can’t be inflated at the expense of the well-being of the population of the capital.”
Pipe became the first directly elected mayor of Hackney in 2002.
Still to come
- Supplementary planning guidance – autumn: a huge amount rests on the guidance, not least how much affordable will be required in schemes, and how that affordable is defined. Developers hope it will provide the certainty they want.
- Starter homes guidance – autumn: whether the mayor will be able to negotiate an exemption for build-to-rent schemes in the capital will have a huge impact on viability.
- Homes for Londoners – The soon-to-be- created team at City Hall will push the affordable and public land agenda, and act as a central agency for development.
- London devolution – Khan is speaking to various government departments, according to City Hall, pushing for more control.
SEE ALSO:
• Could TfL derail Khan’s 50% affordable housing plans
• Briefing: 100 days of Khan – the story so far
