In August 2024, we were approached by Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing to submit a response to the government consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework. While the scope of this consultation was vast, we provided responses to many of the 106 questions. Primarily, our answers were focused on questions relating to housing developments and building on the green belt.

London’s housing market currently suffers from an affordability and demand crisis. 1 in 4 Londoners live in poverty after paying housing costs. Over 323,000 households are on social housing waitlists in the capital. And over 62,000 London households are currently living in temporary accommodation.

We utilised our response to this consultation to advocate for the need for planning reform to prioritise innovative strategic design plans. To open up new land, including on the green belt, increasing the housing land supply in and around the capital. To press for planning policy which boosts social housing. And to re-iterate that London’s housing crisis is ongoing, pervasive and requires urgent, bold and sustained action.

Planning reform is the first step towards kickstarting building in the capital – we are pleased to see NPPF reform brought to the top of the new government’s agenda so quickly. But planning reform alone will not be enough to end the housing crisis. If the government truly want to get Britain building and end the stagnation of housebuilding in London and across the UK, a reformed planning system is only one part of a desperately needed wider strategic and financial government plan.