London Land Commission: The capital has room for 130,000 new homes
London has room for at least 130,000 new homes on surplus land owned by the public sector, according to a report released today.
The London Land Commission, which is co-chaired by the mayor and housing minister, has published an interactive map showing which parts of London are owned by public organisations such as boroughs, the police and transport agencies.
It comes as London's housing crisis continues to become increasingly acute, with demand raging ahead of supply. In fact, the capital needs to build 50,000 new homes a year, roughly double the current level, to accommodate its growing population.
"The register reveals that 25 per cent of London is owned by the public sector, comprising 40,000 sites. There could be 130,000 homes built for Londoners on public sites already identified as potentially surplus, a volume of homes which will continue to grow," Richard Blakeway, deputy mayor for housing, land and property, wrote in City A.M. today.
"[It's] now being analysed by City Hall to further unlock and accelerate the redevelopment of surplus public land."
