Croydon Council has announced it will object to the new draft London Plan owing to concerns about its approach to using Green Belt land for housing developments.
The new draft London Plan sets a target for Croydon to build 21,544 new homes over the next ten years. This is made up of 15,944 homes on brownfield sites, which are previously developed areas, and 5,600 homes on Green Belt land as part of a proposed growth area between Croydon and New Addington.
Although any changes to Green Belt boundaries would need to go through Croydon’s Local Plan process, the Council does not agree that meeting housing targets should depend on building on Green Belt land.
Croydon Council supports building more homes, including affordable homes, but believes priority should be given to developing brownfield sites. The Council wants City Hall and the Government to focus on already approved developments, making sure that homes that already have planning permission are built before Green Belt land is considered.
By 2025, London boroughs had already approved planning permission for more than 300,000 homes across the capital. The Council believes this shows that simply allocating more land and increasing housing targets will not solve London’s housing shortage.
Consultation on the draft new London Plan was launched by the Mayor of London last week. It sets out proposals for how the city could grow and develop. It includes policies on housing, jobs, transport, the environment and public spaces.
The Council is now preparing its response to the draft London Plan consultation, which closes on 15 October 2026. It will argue for continued protection of Green Belt land, realistic housing targets and more support for brownfield development.
“I am clear that Croydon will oppose the draft London Plan in its current form. We need more homes, including affordable homes, but our Green Belt is sacrosanct. The Mayor of London’s Plan identifies capacity for nearly 16,000 homes on brownfield land in Croydon. That must be the priority, alongside making schemes viable and getting existing permissions moving.
“Whilst I am Mayor, Croydon Council will always stand up for our Green Belt and for the right of local communities to shape the places where they live.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Mayor Perry will also raise these issues through London Councils, arguing that boroughs should play a central role in shaping the London Plan and that it should reflect local needs and challenges.
