London is missing out on thousands of potential new homes by failing to embrace mid-rise housing, according to a new report from the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee.
The report, Between Skyscrapers and Semis, finds that London is significantly less dense than comparable global cities, and that modest, widespread increases in density — particularly in well-connected areas — could unlock thousands of additional homes while improving neighbourhood quality.
Mid-rise buildings are said to support ‘gentle density’, create more liveable communities, and deliver the family-sized homes Londoners need. However, the report warns the existing London Plan lacks the clarity to encourage such development at scale, creating uncertainty for boroughs and developers alike.
The committee is calling for mid-rise to be established as the preferred development form in high-access locations, alongside a clear London-wide definition and a modernised density matrix linking height to transport accessibility.
Committee chair James Small-Edwards AM said the answer to London's housing pressures was ‘right in front of us’, adding that planning policy must provide the clarity to make mid-rise development happen.
