News from Steve O'Connell (past staff): Public bodies should devote 10% of surplus land to small builders

Public bodies should devote at least 10 per cent of surplus land to small developers and self-builders to accelerate housing development in London, says London Assembly member Steve O’Connell.

The strategy would guarantee faster delivery of properties and help diversify London’s housing stock.

Steve O’Connell called on public bodies to adopt this principle at a recent London Assembly planning committee.

Conservative London Assembly member Steve O’Connell said:

Small developers and self-builders have a significant role to play in delivering the housing that London needs over the coming decades. Our diverse capital needs a diverse housing stock to match and my previous research has shown there is the potential to deliver thousands of additional homes across London if we look beyond just the major developers. By setting aside portions of public land specifically for these smaller developers, we will be maximising our city’s potential and filling the housing gaps that cannot be met with major projects. I will be urging public bodies to adopt this approach to improve London’s housing market.