The London Plan 2021
The London Plan 2021 is the Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London. It sets out a framework for how London will develop over the next 20-25 years and the Mayor’s vision for Good Growth.
The Plan is part of the statutory development plan for London, meaning that the policies in the Plan should inform decisions on planning applications across the capital. Borough’s Local Plans must be in ‘general conformity’ with the London Plan, ensuring that the planning system for London operates in a joined-up way and reflects the overall strategy for how London can develop sustainably, which the London Plan sets out.
You can find out more about what the London Plan 2021 will mean for the capital in this presentation.
Since the preparation of the London Plan, the government have made significant changes to the Use Class Order. The following statement sets out how policies in the new London Plan that refer to specific use classes can be applied in light of these changes.
Throughout its preparation, the London Plan has been subject to consideration of its impacts on equality, the environment, health, community safety and natural habitats. These impacts and how they have been addressed are set out in the following reports:
- Integrated Impact Assessment Scoping Report (Mayor of London, February 2017)
- Integrated Impact Assessment Scoping Report - Summary of Consultation Responses (Mayor of London, November 2017)
- Integrated Impact Assessment for the draft New London Plan (Arup, November 2017)
- London Plan IIA Addendum Report (Arup, July 2018)
- IIA Addendum Report November 2019 (Mayor of London, November 2019)
- IIA Addendum Report December 2020 (Mayor of London, December 2020)
- Draft London Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment (AECOM, November 2017)
- London Plan HRA Update Report (AECOM, July 2018)
- HRA Report 2019 (AECOM, December 2019)
- HRA Report December 2020 (AECOM, December 2020)
The Mayor has prepared a statement that outlines and describes the environmental and sustainability considerations and the views of consultees that have been integrated into the London Plan 2021.
The London Plan was subject to an Examination in Public, overseen by a panel of Inspectors from the Planning Inspectorate. The panel issued their report on 8 October 2019.
The Mayor wrote to the Secretary of State on 9 December 2019, setting out his response to the Panel’s recommendations, including his reasons for not accepting certain recommendations.
Directions were received from the Secretary of State on 13 March 2020 and 10 December 2020, making modifications to the Plan.
- Letter from the Secretary of State 13 March 2020
- Annex from the Secretary of State 13 March 2020
- Letter from the Secretary of State 10 December 2020
- Annex A Changes to fulfil Directions 10 December 2020
- Annex B Further Directions 10 December 2020
On 29 January 2021 the Secretary of State wrote to the Mayor confirming that he is content for the London Plan to be formally published, with no further changes.
The Mayor prepares planning guidance that supports the implementation of the London Plan. The following saving statement sets out which Supplementary Planning Guidance has been retained to support the implementation of the London Plan 2021, and those that have not been saved.
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