Consultation on London office design

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 11-08-2006

A consultation has been opened to discuss the major of London having the power to decide planning applications in the capital that have major strategic importance.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced the proposed measures that include setting a threshold for the plans that should be termed strategically important.

A policy test has been designed that the mayor will use to decide whether or not a development should be implemented.

Ruth Kelly, secretary of state for communities, stated: "London boroughs will continue to be responsible for deciding the vast majority of planning applications in the capital and we recognise the crucial role they have in representing their communities. But we believe in a limited number of cases, the mayor is best placed to determine the application given his responsibility for regional planning in the capital as a whole.

"This makes clear sense where an application raises issues that go to the heart of the strategic development of London. We are committed to putting in place robust and clear procedures. We will ensure that local views are fully taken into account for all applications, including those the mayor would decide. We believe these proposals strike the right balance by considering both the strategic and local interests to the benefit of all Londoners."

The consultation process will continue until early November when the government will review the responses and move forward with legislation.