Sadiq Khan plans homes on London green belt

Sadiq Khan will today announce plans to explore housebuilding on parts of London’s green belt, breaking with his previous stance as the capital faces deepening housing shortages.

In a speech set to be delivered in Greenwich, the Mayor of London will declare the “status quo is wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable”, citing soaring rents, rising homelessness, and growing demand from a generation priced out of homeownership. Khan, who has long prioritised developing brownfield sites, is now expected to admit that this approach alone cannot meet London’s new target of 88,000 homes a year. Current delivery stands at less than half that, with around 40,000 homes built annually. The new strategy proposes unlocking low-quality or underused sections of the green belt—referred to as “grey belt” land—for housing, under strict conditions that ensure energy efficiency, affordable units, and good transport links. The Mayor’s Office has already begun reviewing green belt sites under existing Government policy, but the upcoming London Plan consultation will go further. “The green belt can often be low-quality land, poorly maintained and rarely enjoyed by Londoners,” Khan is expected to say. “Only around 13% is made up of parks and areas that the public can access. Development on carefully chosen parts – done the right way – could unlock hundreds of thousands of good-quality homes for Londoners.”

London councils spend £4 million a day on temporary accommodation, with rents increasing by 11.5% over the past year. Khan’s new approach has drawn support across political lines. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called the plan a “bold proposal” to tackle the capital’s housing crisis. Claire Holland, chair of London Councils and leader of Lambeth Council, backed the move, stressing the urgent need for affordable homes. “Boroughs are resolutely pro-housebuilding,” she said. “We’re ready to work with the Mayor and Government to boost housing delivery.” Housing advocacy group Generation Rent also welcomed the proposal. Its chief executive, Ben Twomey, said it was right to consider all options when housing costs were pushing many into poverty and homelessness.

Khan’s consultation on the next London Plan will determine whether parts of the green belt can be responsibly redeveloped to meet demand while maintaining access to essential green spaces.

Sadiq Khan plans homes on London green belt