Mayor’s plans to build on Green Belt under microscope
The London Plan is the Mayor's blueprint for how London will grow and develop over the coming decades, shaping decisions on jobs, transport, infrastructure, housing as well as environment across the capital. With the draft London Plan now out for public consultation, the London Assembly is undertaking a 2-week programme of scrutiny to assess whether its proposals can meet London's future needs and support communities across the city. The Environment Committee are focusing on how the new draft plan will protect and improve London’s environment and meet the Mayor’s climate commitments.
The Mayor is putting forward a significantly streamlined plan with a particular focus on energy efficiency, improving access to green space, restoring rivers and waterways, boosting biodiversity, and ensuring London is better prepared for climate change.
The Plan also takes a significantly new approach to Green Belt development, following the introduction of a national “grey belt” policy, identifying ‘Broad Locations for Growth’. A London-wide review assessed more than 1,000 land sites on the Green Belt and found that around 20 per cent could potentially meet grey belt criteria.
The London Assembly Environment Committee will tomorrow examine whether the plans to achieve net zero, protect London’s nature and preparedness for Climate resilience go far enough, and whether the London Plan delivers for Londoners.
Members will also question whether the Mayor gets the balance right with competing priorities for housing developments and protecting London’s nature and access to green spaces.
Guests will include:
Panel 1 (10.00 – 11.00) Overview, Green Belt and Energy
- Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor, Planning, Regeneration & the Fire Service, GLA
- Sophie Donaldson, London Plan Manager, GLA
- John Diver, Senior Strategic Planner, GLA
- Rhian Williams, Senior Strategic Planner, GLA
- Megan Life, Assistant Director for Environment and Energy, GLA
Panel 2 (11.00 – 12.00) Green Infrastructure, waterways and adaptation
- Megan Life, Assistant Director for Environment and Energy, GLA
- Abby Crisostomo, Head of Green Infrastructure, GLA
- Sophie Donaldson, London Plan Manager, GLA
- Dan Bicknell, Climate Adaptation Manager, GLA
Panel 3 (12.00 – 12.30) NGO responses
- Richard Barnes (Head of Planning & External Affairs, London Wildlife Trusts
- John Sadler, Operations Director, CPRE London
The meeting will take place in the Committee Rooms 2 & 3 at City Hall on Thursday 2 September 2026 at 10am.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- Gareth Roberts AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Environment Committee.
- Read the agenda in full.
- 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 Daniel Zikmund in the Assembly Media Office on 07860647577 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.