Government criticises GLA housing strategy

Published 01st Mar 2010

London mayor Boris Johnson’s housing plans will not do enough to address the capital’s affordable housing shortage, the government has warned today.

Housing and planning minister John Healey has issued a response from government department Communities and Local Government to the Greater London Authority’s London Housing Strategy, which is part of the London Plan. Healey has criticised the plan because it would only create 13,200 affordable homes a year in London.

The government has also criticised to move away from the target that 50% of new homes in London should be affordable. It said this would make it harder for the London mayor to use his planning powers to ensure London’s affordable housing needs are met.

Under the 2007 GLA Act, government ministers can direct the London mayor to change his housing strategy if it clashes with national policy.

Healey said: “Ultimately, the mayor is accountable to the people of London through the ballot box, so I will continue to monitor closely the delivery of affordable housing and the likely impact of these policies on London and its future success.”

Source: ' PropertyWeek '

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