Draft London Plan: Initial Comment By Liberal Democrats

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 21st Jun 2002

Commenting on the publication of the draft London Plan, Sally Hamwee, Liberal Democrat planning spokesperson on the London Assembly, said:

"The 400 pages of the draft, and the 7 million plus people of London, deserve that the draft has far more than a knee-jerk reaction, and is carefully considered."

"The Mayor has rightly made much for the need for greatly improved public transport. But while a failure to assist movement would be a huge constraint on London's prosperity and quality of life, it is not obvious that reducing the need to travel has a high place in the plan.

"Concentration on the financial and services sector, and on the development of East London, could mean that the needs of outer London, and what it can contribute to London's success, are ignored."

"Furthermore, the Mayor has backed down from his earlier target to secure 28,000 extra affordable homes every year. The plan requires that 23,000 new homes are built each year - despite up to 50% being designated as affordable, he would not achieve even half his original target."