Capital expected to grow by a million in ten years and could be twice as dense as Paris
London is rapidly running out of space to house its growing population, politicians at City Hall have warned.
In a report laying out priorities for the next London mayor, the London Assembly’s planning committee has said London must build “up and out” to meet demand, and could become twice as dense as Paris, Rome or Berlin within 35 years.
The report calculates London needs to deliver between 49,000 and 62,000 homes a year to accomodate a million new people over the next ten years, yet there is only space for 42,000 homes to be built annually.
In order to meet demand while retaining the city’s boundaries and its green belt, more towers must be built and the suburbs must cram in more homes, the report says. It argues the question of whether to build “up or out” in London is “a false choice”.
The report also recommends revamping estates and developing towns outside London’s boundaries.
Nicky Gavron AM, chair of the planning committee, said: “Now is the time to start planning for London in the 2020s and 2030s The big question is: how should London grow - and in which direction.”
Labour’s mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan has set a target of building 80,000 homes a year, while Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith has pledged 50,000 homes a year.
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