Public space and Crown Estate sale on the agenda

22 NOVEMBER 2010

The private management of public space can mean Londoners are excluded from parts of the capital or subject to arbitrary rules around activities like filming.  Could the Mayor be doing more through the planning system to ensure public space is as open and unrestricted as possible?

From 10.00am tomorrow the London Assembly Planning and Housing Committee will question a range of experts as part of its review of the different ways public space[1] in the capital is managed.

The Committee will question:

  • Peter Bishop, Group Director of Design, Development and Environment, London Development Agency (LDA)
  • Robert Evans, Executive Director, Argent Group plc
  • Prof Matthew Carmona, Head of the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London
  • John East, Director of Development Services, London Borough of Newham
  • Eric Reynolds, Director, Urban Space Management

 The Committee is reviewing current planning guidance and looking at how effectively the Mayor is setting requirements for public space in the large regeneration projects that are referred to him, and through his own ‘Great Outdoors’ initiative[2].

From 11.30am (approx) the Committee will discuss with Stephen Howlett, Chief Executive of the Peabody Trust, the proposed purchase of four residential estates in London owned by the Crown Estate.

The Planning and Housing Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, 23 November from 10.00am in Committee Room 4 at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).   Media and members of the public are invited to attend.   The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.

 

Notes for editors:

  1. For the purpose of this investigation ‘public space’ (also called the public realm) includes all spaces including streets, squares and parks that everyone can use in principle, regardless of who owns or manages the space.
  2. More details about the Great Outdoors initiative here:
  3. Full agenda papers here.
  4. Nicky Gavron AM, Chair of the London Assembly Planning and Housing Committee, is available for interview.  See contact details below.
  5. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For more details, please contact Dana Gavin in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4603/4283.  For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.