London Mayoral Election 2016: Property giants reveal wishlist for next mayor, including protecting commercial property space in the city’s centre
Two of London’s major property groups have today revealed their ‘Mayoral Manifesto’, calling on the next Mayor of London to tackle issues stemming from a rising population and increased demand for housing and jobs.
The Westminster Property Association (WPA) and City Property Association (CPA), who represent more than 400 owners, developers and investors between them, want the next Mayor to stop offices and commercial spaces in the city’s centre being converted to residential properties and instead focus on creating jobs in central areas and improving the housing provision across London as a whole.
“While the housing crisis is rightly recognised as one of the key challenges facing the next Mayor, London is also facing a commercial crisis through the loss of office space to residential, especially across central London,” said Daniel Van Gelder, chairman of the WPA.
The associations also want Right To Buy proceeds to be used to fund affordable housing in the capital, and would like to see the next Mayor improve transport connections for commuters and upgrade utilities to meet energy needs.