Gove calls for review of London property building

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has employed a panel of experts to review the London Plan and find where property building in the capital can be sped up. Gove accused Mayor Sadiq Khan of focusing too much on affordable housing, leading to delays in new developments. Christopher Katkowski KC, Bedfordshire Tory councillor James Jamieson, architect Paul Monaghan and town planner Dr Wei Yang will review the London Plan, and "identify where changes to policy could speed up the delivery of much needed homes in urban city sites the heart of our Capital", Mr Gove added. They will report their findings to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities early next year. However, City Hall argued that new analysis has revealed a gulf in the rate of housebuilding between London and the rest of England. Since Mr Khan was elected in 2016, London's devolved planning framework has achieved a rate of housing completions that's 20% higher than the rest of the country, a spokesman for the Mayor said. 

London Evening Standard