The London Assembly has been scrutinising the mayor's new draft London Plan, which sets out the rules and priorities for building homes, transport, and infrastructure across the capital over the next 20–25 years, according to Joanne McCartney AM, Labour member for Enfield and Haringey.
The draft plan aims to balance the need for housing and growth while considering environmental impacts and infrastructure requirements. It effectively outlines what London will look like in the coming decades, with the overarching goal of making the city fairer, greener, and more prosperous.
Assembly Committees Examine Key Challenges
Assembly committees have been examining whether the draft plan meets these ambitions, focusing on several critical areas. These include preparing for heatwaves similar to those experienced this summer, determining how and where to build more homes, shaping the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, and managing the transport system.
Housing is one of the most pressing issues facing London, with a desperate need for more quality and affordable homes. However, McCartney emphasised that new housing must be supported by necessary infrastructure, such as schools, health services, and better transport connections.
Transport Investment and Devolution
As a member of the Assembly's Transport Committee, McCartney has been vocal about the need for investment in new and improved transport infrastructure. With thousands of new homes planned for outer London, she argues that better transport connections are essential to allow residents to travel easily by public transport, walking, or cycling.
McCartney has been pushing for Transport for London (TfL) to take control of Great Northern services out of Moorgate to improve reliability and frequency. She recently pressed the deputy mayor for Transport on securing the funding needed for this infrastructure. The deputy mayor agreed that with the Government's new focus on devolution, Londoners should have hope of gaining more control over the money they raise, which could be invested in transport.
Environment and Climate Resilience
On the Environment Committee, McCartney has raised issues concerning the green belt, parks, energy efficiency, clean waterways, and biodiversity. She stressed that new homes must be of good quality and provide access to green space for residents.
Getting these decisions right now, she said, will ensure London's future provides not only shelter but also community and well-being, while being resilient to the increasing effects of climate change. McCartney concluded that this is about getting London's future right.
