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Mayor's vision for London over 20 years
29 Apr 2009THE Mayor today revealed his vision for how London will grow over the next 20 years.
Boris Johnson's London Plan sets out how the capital will expand, with the city's population expected to rise from 7.56 million to about nine million by 2031.
The draft plan, at www.london.gov.uk/mayor/priorities/planning, is to be consulted on until the autumn, and a final version completed in 2011.
Housing
The plan sets no new target for affordable homes. It abolishes Ken Livingstone's 50 per cent target for new developments, promises to focus on family-sized housing and identifies 28 brown field areas to be developed and a further nine areas, including Canada Water and South Wimbledon, to be more intensively built up.
Each of the brown field sites, which include Waterloo, Victoria and Greenwich, is to house 2,500 homes or create 5,000 jobs. Deprived areas, particularly in east London, will be developed.
Transport
Mr Johnson makes clear his opposition to a third runway at Heathrow and says there must be work on plans for building a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
He also wants to encourage bringing goods into London by rail rather than road, reducing congestion and emissions.
A domestic high-speed rail link will get the Mayor's backing — the Government is drawing up plans for a TGV-style link from London to the North. Cycle “superhighways” will cross the city and high streets and busy pedestrian areas will follow the example of Kensington High Street and Exhibition Road, where “shared space” has been created by ripping up barriers and removing road markings. A greater use of electric vehicles will also be promoted.
Tall buildings
An investigation is to be launched to identify “appropriate” locations for tall building although they are likely to continue to be built in The City, Canary Wharf and Croydon. Mr Johnson also wants to re-establish views of landmarks including World Heritage sites.
Economy
The plan aims to encourage economic development across all of London with a greater emphasis on outer London where office space is cheaper.
It proposes renovating existing offices and encouraging mixed-use development. Mr Johnson wants to promote more wheelchair-friendly hotel rooms.
A “Green Enterprise Zone” is to be created in the Thames Estuary.
The development of street and farmers' markets will be supported.
The environment
Carbon emissions will be cut by 60 per cent by 2025 and new recycling targets will be spelled out soon. Planning applications will have to be judged on their energy efficiency.
Growing plants on roof tops will be promoted and “garden grabs” where building takes place in back gardens discouraged.
Reader views (3)
Well nothing there for the millions of people who live alone or couples without children then.
As for carbon emissions he is still busy building these up I suppose Londoners are lucky he messed up the Western C-Charge consultation as this will now last another year and then where is the funding to change it?
Kimberley "Cycling superhighways" Boris cant even build a busway anyway with 30,000 more vehicles in West London cycling will be the last thing any sane person would do.
- Melvyn, Canvey Island, Essex, 30/04/2009 12:20
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He is sounding more Like the great Clement Attlee in 1945.
But can he do what Clement Attlee did?
I doubt it very much; most politicians today have no guts at all.
Even the Tories said Margerat Thatcher was the best man they had even had; and that i believe was the truest thing they ever said.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 29/04/2009 23:05
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This sounds brilliant. I love Boris Johnson and I love his hair. I think we need lots more tall buildings and to get rid of bendy buses and the cycle superhighways sound lovely. I'd like a double gin and tonic please.
- Kimberley, London, 29/04/2009 15:44
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