The new draft London Plan sets a target for Croydon to build 21,544 new homes over the next ten years. This is made up of 15,944 homes on brownfield sites, which are previously developed areas, and 5,600 homes on Green Belt land as part of a proposed growth area between Croydon and New Addington.
Although any changes to Green Belt boundaries would need to go through Croydon’s Local Plan process, the Council says it does not agree that meeting housing targets should depend on building on Green Belt land.
Croydon Council says it supports building more homes, including affordable homes, but believes priority should be given to developing brownfield sites. The Council wants City Hall and the Government to focus on already approved developments, making sure that homes that already have planning permission are built before Green Belt land is considered.
By 2025, London boroughs had already approved planning permission for more than 300,000 homes across the capital. The Council believes this shows that simply allocating more land and increasing housing targets will not solve London’s housing shortage.
Consultation on the draft new London Plan was launched by the Mayor of London last week.
It sets out proposals for how the city could grow and develop. It includes policies on housing, jobs, transport, the environment and public spaces.
The Council is now preparing its response to the draft London Plan consultation, which closes on the 15th of October.
It says it will argue for continued protection of Green Belt land, realistic housing targets and more support for brownfield development.
