How housing developments can help improve London’s environment
London needs to build 888,000 new homes in the next decade – but how will these developments affect the natural environment?
Biodiversity net gain helps to create and improve natural habitats, by ensuring new development sites have a positive impact on biodiversity.
The London Assembly has today called on the Mayor to launch a campaign to publicise the benefits of biodiversity net gain in increasing London’s accessible nature.
Leonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“Developments must be nature-friendly, incorporating biodiversity net gain and meeting the urban greening factor as we address London’s housing crisis.
“That's why the London Assembly calls on the Mayor to publicise the benefits of biodiversity net gain and the urban greening factor in increasing London’s accessible nature.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes the benefits of biodiversity net gain, including London’s pioneering work in this area which became a blueprint for national legislation. The Assembly further notes the benefits of the urban greening factor, which has introduced the benefits of nature to many parts of London previously denied it.
The Assembly also acknowledges London’s acute housing crisis and the need to build 888,000 new homes in the next decade. The Assembly recognises the green belt’s contribution towards biodiversity and notes the Mayor’s comments that the green belt is the “lungs of the capital” and “as important today as it always has been”.
The Assembly further notes the consultation on the update to the London Plan and agrees that through biodiversity net gain and the urban greening factor, the city can continue to increase the amount of incredible nature within its boundaries. These developments must be nature-friendly, incorporating biodiversity net gain and meeting the urban greening factor as we address London’s housing crisis.
This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to launch a campaign to widely publicise the benefits of biodiversity net gain and the urban greening factor in increasing London’s accessible nature, including how it will be used in all new developments.
The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- The Motion was agreed unanimously.
- Leonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Tony Smyth in the Assembly Media Office on 07763 251727 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.