𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Sadiq Khan has been accused of “sacrificing” green spaces to “appease his Labour paymasters” following plans to build on the precious land in a bid to tackle the housing crisis.

The capital’s mayor will announce plans to “actively explore” building on some of London’s green belt on Friday in a bid to fix the capital’s housing crisis.

Susan Hall AM, Leader of the City Hall Conservatives, said: “Once again, Sadiq Khan has shown his true colours by dancing to the tune the Labour Government sets. This is a Mayor who will sacrifice London’s precious green spaces to appease his Labour paymasters. Londoners elected him on a promise to protect our environment, but it’s now clear those promises weren’t worth the recycled paper they were printed on.”

The Mayor of London is expected to use a speech in Greenwich to argue that “the status quo is wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable”, with a generation of Londoners unable to rent or buy a home.

Under the proposals, London’s planners will look to release some green belt land for housebuilding, but with conditions on affordable housing, energy efficiency, transport links and promoting access to green spaces such as parks.

The announcement marks a change in stance for Sir Sadiq, who has previously argued against releasing green belt land while there are still previously developed brownfield sites available.

While the Mayor is expected to continue prioritising brownfield land, he is expected to tell his audience on Friday: “We have to be honest with Londoners that this alone will not be enough to meet our needs.”