Spotlight on the new draft London Plan: Introduction – what’s the Plan?

How can a plan reignite the economy, solve the housing crisis and future proof development in one of the biggest cities in the world over the next 20 years? That is the bold aspiration for the draft London Plan (DLP), recently published for consultation. In introducing the “streamlined” plan, the Mayor underlined its target to “fix the housing crisis in London and… deliver sustainable economic growth that benefits Londoners across our city.”

On the face of it, the DLP certainly looks like a Spatial Development Strategy should – more strategic, with fewer policies and pages than the current Plan. Underpinned by four ‘Good Growth objectives’, it sets out a framework for plan-making and decision taking across the capital. The increasingly complex range of issues that now consume the planning process is reflected in the breadth of topics tackled by the DLP. There is an overarching focus on land, housing and the economy and, within those, the inclusion of new policies (such as GLE3 on data centres) and a recasting of others (such as PBSA being subsumed within other living sectors under HN5). Predictably, given land supply constraints, intensification and densification are common themes underpinned by a clear expectation that the London Boroughs must play their part. Where they do not, it will be interesting to see whether the Mayor becomes more interventionist and makes use of his (recently expanded) call in powers.

Time will tell whether the Mayor’s aspiration proves achievable. Indeed, first we will need to see the whether the DLP emerges intact from this consultation period and subsequent Examination. Certainly, there will be those that are sceptical. There will also be some that feel that, while the DLP is a step in the right direction, it is not ambitious enough. That is a criticism that appears to have been anticipated, particularly in relation to housing need and delivery. Is it enough to point towards a necessary reliance on supporting infrastructure (and the funding and time needed to unlock it)?

One thing is abundantly clear – the DLP is being brought forward in extremely challenging conditions. Housebuilding in the capital is in a critical condition, requiring emergency measures from the Mayor and Government in March to try and resuscitate it. The DLP itself acknowledges that there is “a perfect storm” facing housebuilders who are “in the midst of the most difficult period for housebuilding since the global financial crisis”. Can the DLP encourage LPAs to release the right land in the right places? Will it entice housebuilders back into London? Can it incentivise public sector intervention in the market?

It will be fascinating to see these issues played out in the run up to adoption and beyond. In the meantime, during the consultation period, we will be sharing our thoughts on the key themes in the DLP – land, housing and the economy.

The consultation closes on 15 October 2026. If you have any questions and/or would like to feed into a consultation response, please do get in touch.