It seems like the London mayor is serious about his claims to want to tackle the housing shortage crisis and do his part to make sure more affordable homes are available to the people who so badly need them.
Recently Barnet Council blocked planning permission for the proposed property development on the former National Institute for Medical Research site in Mill Hill in February this year, even going against the advice of its own planning officers.
The London Mayor has been true to his word and has stepped in to overturn Barnet Councils decision and double the number of affordable properties that will be available in one of the city’s major developments and alter the plans to include homes at social rent levels.
The original plans called for just 20% affordable housing, which equated to only 92 homes, all of which were for shared ownership, the Mayor has now secured 40% affordable housing on the site.
There will be 185 affordable homes, including 131 for shared ownership and 54 at social rent levels.
The development will also see the inclusion of sports pitches previously in private hands transferred to the local council for community use.
‘Delivering more of the genuinely affordable homes Londoners need is one of my top priorities as Mayor and I will use all the tools at my disposable to do so. This development offers a significant number of high-quality homes which will be available through shared ownership, to help people struggling to buy a home on the open market,’ said Khan.
‘I have also been able to secure new homes at social rent levels within the development, which is key to helping Londoners on low incomes and to making sure we build a mixed community here,’ he explained.
‘I am also delighted my planners have saved more than 100 trees from removal as well as increased the number of new trees planted, all of which will be enjoyed by the future residents in this new development for years to come,’ he added.
The mayor laid his cards on the table when he published his Affordable Housing and Viability SPG, which ensures property developers a faster route through the planning process for developments with least 35% affordable housing.
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