CENTRAL LONDON PLANNING POLICY UPDATE Q1 2024

Here is our quarterly update on planning policy news, recent/emerging consultations or changes within the Central London boroughs, and updates from the Mayor of London.

Headlines from Q1 2024:

• At the national level, the Government amended Class MA PD rights (commercial to residential), removing the floorspace limit and vacancy requirement, which enables larger and occupied buildings to benefit from PD rights. It also consulted upon an accelerated planning service, new planning performance measures and changes to extensions of time.
• At the mayoral level, all focus is on the elections on 2 May 2024, where the Mayor and London Assembly will be elected for the next four-year term. The Government has also consulted on increasing the threshold of referable residential schemes, which is currently set at 150 units. This was alongside consultation on other measures to boost housing delivery on brownfield land in London and across the country.
• RBKC is close to adopting its new Local Plan Review with consultation concluding on the Main Modifications set by the Inspector last month.
• Westminster released its Regulation 19 version of the Partial Review of the City Plan for consultation until 25 April 2024, and Lambeth released its Reg 19 version of the Site Allocations DPD for further consultation.
• Camden released its Regulation 18 version of its Draft Local Plan for consultation, which is due to update its 2017 policies and bring it in line with the London Plan, including new site allocations.
• New area-based SPDs were out for consultation in Holborn (Camden) and Hammersmith (LBHF), with others due to commence in Shoreditch and Stamford Hill (both Hackney) next month.
• The City of London published its Draft City Plan 2040, with consultation due to commence next quarter.

A full update is attached below. Should you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact the Central London planning team.