Opportunities to submit sites for future housing development

The GLA sees the Call for Sites as “a crucial process for local planning authorities in London to identify available land for future housing development.” It provides an opportunity for landowners, developers and members of the public to submit sites that they believe are suitable for new housing projects.  

The submitted sites will then be reviewed and assessed for their suitability and viability for development through the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) which is to be conducted together with local planning authorities. The SHLAA will help the mayor and boroughs identify capacity for housing delivery and inform housing targets set in the next London Plan.

Housing expansion and green belt boundaries

The Call for Sites follows quickly on the heels of the publication of the new government’s draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which places a clear emphasis on economic growth, infrastructure development and housing expansion across the nation to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next five years. The next London Plan is expected to work to deliver the government’s aims within London, whilst underpinning the mayor’s vision for Good Growth. 

The NPPF’s proposed introduction of the ‘grey belt’, requiring local authorities to review green belt boundaries if they cannot meet their housing and commercial development needs, could also require a softening of the mayor’s commitment to protect the capital’s green belt. A borough-focused or a strategic green belt assessment could be in the offing and would be an important first step in the identification and consideration of appropriate sustainable sites which may have previously been ruled out.

The Call for Sites consultation runs for six weeks, closing on 30th October 2024. Please do get in touch if you’d like advice or more information.

Further information

Contact Rob Morgan