The Draft London Plan marks a significant shift in direction for London’s planning framework. Whilst previous iterations have become increasingly lengthy and complex, the new Plan is shorter, more streamlined and places a stronger emphasis on delivery. This change in approach is likely to be welcomed by the development industry and London boroughs alike, with boroughs ultimately responsible for translating strategic policy into Local Plans and development decisions.

Importantly, the Draft London Plan will shape the next generation of borough Local Plans, influencing where growth is directed, how housing is delivered and how local authorities respond to development opportunities. At its core, the Plan reflects a growing recognition that London’s housing challenge is not simply about setting higher targets, but about identifying realistic routes to delivery.

Green Belt: The biggest policy shift?

For the first time, the Mayor is proposing that approximately 10% of London’s housing requirement should be delivered on Green Belt land. This represents a fundamental shift in policy and reflects a growing acceptance that brownfield land alone is unlikely to meet London’s long-term housing needs.

The implications for outer London boroughs could be substantial, with many expected to accommodate higher levels of growth than under the current Plan. However. The extent to which this translates into delivery on the ground is likely to depend not only on the emerging Local Plan process, but also on local political priorities and appetite for growth. The key question is whether boroughs will embrace this direction of travel through their Local Plans or continue to resist Green Belt release locally.

Alongside the proposed approach to Green Belt release, the Draft Plan introduces a number of wider notable changes:

• A 20-year plan period running from 2026/27 to 2046/47
• Borough-specific affordable housing thresholds ranging from 20% to 35%
• Broad locations for growth, directing housing and employment to strategic growth areas
• Greater emphasis on industrial intensification and optimisation of employment land
• A new small sites design code aimed at supporting housing delivery
• Continued focus on infrastructure-led growth and investment

Furthermore, the Draft Plan seeks to deliver 558,000 homes over the next decade, a figure which is notably lower than the housing requirement contained within the existing London Plan. Rather than simply increasing targets, the document appears to recognise that housing delivery is dependent on a range of factors beyond the planning system, including infrastructure provision, viability, funding and market conditions.

Here at Iceni, we’re optimistic. Funding, policy direction and political will are finally beginning to point in the same direction. The Draft London Plan feels like a more pragmatic and deliverable response to the capital’s growth challenges, but its success will ultimately be measured not by the policies it contains, but by the homes, jobs and investment it helps to unlock.

Whether you’re promoting a site, bringing forward a planning application or assessing future investment opportunities, understanding the direction of travel in London’s planning framework has never been more important.

Iceni’s London Planning team is helping clients navigate the Draft London Plan consultation and assess the opportunities and risks arising from the proposed changes. If you’d like to discuss the implications for your projects, please get in touch with iceniplanning@iceniprojects.com