Westminster Council’s new Labour administration will introduce new policies and guidance to encourage developers to build more truly affordable homes in the City.

A new planning policy included in the partial review of Westminster’s City Plan, will require 70% of all new “affordable” homes to be council flats at social rent compared to 40% today. The remainder will be for intermediate rent with a presumption that these are affordable to households earning <£60K. We will now be strongly discouraging hared ownership which is not appropriate for central London.

In addition, we will requiring small sites delivering less than 10 private homes to make a financial contribution to our affordable housing fund for the first time. 30% of new homes in Westminster are on small sites and it’s important that all residential development plays its part in easing the housing crisis. 

In new planning guidance, unrelated to the City Plan review, we have withdrawn the right of occupants of new residential buildings to apply for an on-street parking permit. This brings Westminster into line with other central London boroughs and will make it easier to build more densely in areas with high parking stress.

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development said:

“Our changes mean more truly affordable flats including many extra council homes. There is still an important role for intermediate rental products for key workers but not shared ownership.”