Last updated on 25 June 2025
In May 2025, as consultation started on the new London Plan, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced a U-turn on his previous decision and now supports building on the Green Belt. He said local councils should explore the ‘release of parts of the green belt for development, particularly lower quality land’.
National Planning Policy Framework
Mayor Khan’s change of heart is in line with Government’s revised approach to the Green Belt, published in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024. The NPPF explains the rationale and process for reviewing the Green Belt and sets out principles – often referred to as the ‘golden rules’ – for ensuring that major housing developments within the Green Belt deliver accessible green spaces and other community benefits. Additionally, funding has been allocated to 133 local authorities to support these Green Belt review efforts.
Impact on Chessington
Much of London’s Green Belt is often of limited quality, poorly maintained, and largely inaccessible to local communities. In the face of a housing shortage, certain green belt areas for redevelopment could help deliver hundreds of thousands of new homes. With Kingston Council failing to reach its new homes target and the Hook Park proposals for 2000 new homes on the Green Belt, off Clayton Road, these changes to national and local policy are a big concern for Chessington residents.
About the London Plan
The London Plan is the Mayor of London’s overarching strategy for how the city should grow and develop. It sets out a framework for delivering homes, creating jobs, managing transport, and providing essential services and infrastructure across Greater London, while also ensuring high standards of development.
The Plan is formally reviewed every five years. The current edition was adopted in March 2021, with a draft of the next version expected in 2026 for public consultation.
Local councils are responsible for creating their own Local Plans, but they must align with the London Plan. They cannot contradict or hinder the London Plan objectives.