Rethinking London’s future: Zoë Garbett AM response to the Mayor’s London Plan consultation

In response to the Mayor’s publication of the London Plan consultation, Zoë Garbett AM has released a bold set of planning proposals aimed at reshaping the current London Plan to confront the city’s worsening housing emergency and environmental challenges.

In a city riddled with deep inequality and rising poverty, Garbett’s response sets out a clear call for change.

Drawing from the experiences and voices of London’s grassroot organisations and campaigners, community leaders, housing justice organisers, disability rights groups and policy experts, this response is rooted in listening to what Londoners really want, and how we can create a city that works for everyone.

Key proposals in the report include:

• Social housing must be central to development – not treated as an afterthought or burden – with barriers to its delivery removed.
• The Green Belt must be protected, not sacrificed in favour of short-term, profit driven schemes that erode London’s much needed green spaces and wildlife.
• A reversal of the growth-at-all costs mentality with a renewed focus on the principle of good growth.
• Well-connected transport networks should be the default standard across London.
• Recognising the importance of ‘emerging heritage’ where we can protect culturally significant spaces created by London’s older and newer diaspora communities – spaces that are too often overlooked or under threat.
• Valuing and protecting London’s ‘real-life economy’ made up of market stall traders, independent retailers and creators who are embedded in our communities.

Addressing the need for the consultation, Zoë Garbett, Green Party London Assembly Member said:

“Each day, London becomes more and more unequal and the divide between those with power and those without grows wider.

“Private developers are marching through London’s communities unchecked, tearing down places of cultural importance and bulldozing over our green spaces, with the interest of Londoners so far down their priority list.

“With every tower that rises, their bottom lines come first, while the majority of Londoners are pushed out, priced out and ignored.

“This cannot continue. We desperately need a radical shift in how we think about land, housing, our green spaces and who London is really for.

“Our city’s future can’t be decided behind closed doors, it has to be created with the people who live here.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the Mayor responds to the recommendations proposed.”