London Mayor Sadiq Khan approves 300 homes on green belt land

London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Mayor Sadiq Khan approved the construction of 300 new homes on London’s green belt, citing significant public benefits, including affordable housing and the restoration of Hanworth Park House into a community hub.

What are the benefits of the Feltham housing project?

Mayor Sadiq Khan has permitted 300 new homes to be constructed on London’s green belt, claiming that the project will provide a “clear public benefit”. The scheme off Forest Road in Feltham will also concern the restoration of the dilapidated 222-year-old Hanworth Park House, with the latest homes built on surrounding woodland.

Ordinarily, building new belongings on green belt land would be rejected by the mayor, as his London Plan highlights the need to “protect and enhance” the capital’s open spaces. It says that all proposals that would “harm” the green belt should be abandoned, “except where very special circumstances exist”. But in exclusive statements to the Standard, Mr Khan expressed the project’s benefits would outweigh any harm.

How will Hanworth Park House be restored and utilized?

In a report submitted to him, City Hall officers had pointed out that the project would deliver much-needed inexpensive housing, as 120 of the possessions will be marketed at a social rent.

Hanworth Park House, a Grade II-listed structure which has been derelict for several years, will not only be fixed as part of the project but extended and restored to become a community hub – including a museum, education hub, cafe, exhibition space and artisan studios.

How does the project fit into London’s housing strategy?

The mayor stated: “London’s housing crisis requires urgent action and I’m committed to do everything in my power to help.

“I’ll always prioritise brownfield land for new housing growth, but there are circumstances where on balance there will be a transparent public benefit case for building new homes on sites specified as green belt. In this case, the plans will improve local green spaces and protect local heritage assets. “I’ll never shy away from the tough decisions needed to get homes built in our city, as part of my plan to construct a fairer, more prosperous London for all.”

Who else endorsed the housing development in Feltham?

The project had already received near-unanimous support from Hounslow Council’s planning committee last year, along with the approval of the local Labour MP, Seema Malhotra.

The news came on Wednesday morning as the Government scheduled the King’s Speech, which is anticipated to include reforms to England’s planning system. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has stated she wants to make it easier for homes to be constructed, including on poor quality sites of the green belt, which Labour calls ‘grey belt’ land.