Mayor criticises London council for poor affordable housing record
The Mayor of London has intervened in a planning by the borough of Kensington and Chelsea overs it lack of affordable new homes.
The development in Notting Hill Gate includes offices, a new public square, a doctor’s surgery and step free access to the local tube station but not enough lower priced homes, according to the Mayor.
Sadiq Khan is concerned that the borough has consistently failed to meet targets for new and affordable homes, In the 2016/2017 year only 17 affordable homes were given planning permission by the council. From 2013/2014 to 2016/2017, the borough delivered just 332 affordable homes or only 34% of the target of 986.
Kensington and Chelsea Council refused the application for the development of Newcombe House at the end of January because of the height of the proposed buildings in relation to their surroundings.
The development would be spread over six buildings from two storeys to 17 storeys. The existing Newcombe House is 12 storeys.
The application will now be subjected to further scrutiny by City Hall planners before a public hearing later in the year.
At the hearing, interested parties will be able to speak for and against the development before the Mayor makes his decision.
‘Having considered all evidence available to me, I have decided to take over this application and subject it to further scrutiny. The number of homes in this development won’t reverse the chronic under delivery of new and affordable housing in the borough, but I’m calling this application in to determine if those homes it could deliver and the other public benefits outweigh the reasons the council gave for refusal,’ said Khan.
‘I have also asked my planners to work with the applicant to see if more genuinely affordable homes can be delivered,’ he added.
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