London Mayor Proposes Building on Green Belt to Address Housing Crisis

London, United Kingdom — Mayor Sadiq Khan announced plans on Friday to explore development on parts of the city’s green belt, marking a significant shift in housing policy. This move aims to address London’s ongoing housing crisis, which has intensified over recent years.

Khan stated that the current reliance on building only on previously developed brownfield land is insufficient to meet London’s pressing housing needs. “We must be honest with Londoners that our current approach to only build on brownfield land will never be enough to meet the scale of the challenge,” Khan said.

The mayor emphasized that London needs to construct 88,000 new homes annually over the next decade to meet demand. This is a goal the city has never achieved before, according to national targets set by the government.

The green belt, originally established to prevent urban sprawl, has faced criticism for limiting growth and driving up housing prices in areas with substantial job creation. Khan’s proposal is expected to draw backlash from environmentalists and community campaigners, though he assures that any new developments will enhance biodiversity and public access to green spaces.

<p“The green belt can often be low-quality land, poorly maintained and rarely enjoyed by Londoners,” Khan noted. Only around 13% of the green belt comprises accessible parks and areas for public enjoyment. He pointed out that the current state of housing in London forces many residents into unsuitable living situations, including rough sleeping.

Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, supported Khan’s proposal, highlighting the need for ambitious housing solutions to tackle the crisis. “We cannot end the housing crisis and build the 1.5 million homes we need without London being ambitious in its approach,” she stated.

The upcoming consultation period for the London Plan, which outlines the city’s development strategy for the next 20 to 25 years, will remain open until June 22. Following public feedback, a draft version of the plan will be published in 2026, with formal adoption anticipated in 2028.

Khan called on environmental campaigners and developers to collaborate on new strategies to address both housing needs and environmental concerns. “Building new homes where people want to live is vital to protect Londoners from the eye-watering cost of renting,” said Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, urging renters to engage with the mayor’s proposals.