Mark Whitehead Wednesday, November 13, 2019

London councils ‘fail’ to challenge inequality, campaigners say

Many London councils are failing to challenge poverty and inequality, according to campaigners.

The Town and Country Planning Association says more than half the capital's councils have no requirement in their local plan for like-for-like re-provision of affordable housing.

It says less than a third have a specific target for ‘social rent’ housing aimed at people on low incomes.

The association's report ‘London: Planning for a Just City?’ analyses local plans for the capital’s 32 boroughs, the City of London Corporation and the two mayoral development corporations.

It asks which policies address social and economic inequalities, increase social housing stock and encourage collaboration with local people.

Several councils interviewed by researchers cited centrally imposed barriers by Government and a lack of funding as factors that severely undermine local policies.

TCPA's projects and policy manager Laura Heykoop said: 'The report highlights the multiple power imbalances that exist between communities, local authorities and developers, and argues that the transformation required for the planning system to better promote equality and inclusion will require both practical shifts in planning practice and fundamental shifts in power.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Highways, Waste and Environment

North Northamptonshire Council
£97,632 - £108,033 (subject to additional pay award)
North Northamptonshire is a place of scale, ambition and ongoing transformation. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Director of Public Health & Leisure

Brent Council
£135,000
Brent is brimming with ambition and opportunity. Brent, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Brent Council

Head of Property & Regeneration

Swansea Council
£88,633 - £100,994
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding and experienced professional Swansea (Abertawe)
Recuriter: Swansea Council

Strategic Director – Adults and Public Health

Ealing London Borough Council
£180k
We are looking for an ambitious, visible and collaborative leader who can help shape the future of adult social care Ealing, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Ealing London Borough Council

Service Directors - Inclusive Education, Family Help and Skills

Shropshire Council
£107k - £112k
Over recent months, we’ve moved from announcing a financial emergency into a period of recovery. Shropshire
Recuriter: Shropshire Council
Linkedin Banner