A letter published today from the London
Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee to the
Mayor of London warns of a growing disconnect
between what Londoners want to see built in their communities and
the developments that are actually being delivered.
The letter follows evidence heard by the Committee highlighting
that Londoners broadly agree on what good design looks like.
Public polling and visual preference surveys show that around
70–80 per cent favour human-scale buildings with coherent
frontages that fit local character, often preferring traditional
forms over impersonal “statement” designs — preferences that
frequently diverge from what is currently built. Evidence also
suggests Londoners are open to development if they are engaged
early and clearly informed about what they can influence.
With London required to deliver 880,000 new homes over the next
decade, the Committee warns that failing to align new development
with public sentiment risks fuelling opposition, increasing
delays and undermining delivery.
The Committee is urging the Mayor to use the forthcoming
London Plan to embed evidence-based design
principles and strengthen early-stage community engagement across
boroughs.
The letter calls for:
- Updated London Plan Housing Design Standards to reflect
established public design preferences
- Greater use of borough-wide design codes developed with
representative, paid community participation
- Expanded use of Neighbourhood Plans to clarify locally
supported design approaches
- A pan-London evidence report by August 2026 drawing on
community research and visual preference studies
- Structured early-stage engagement requirements for major
schemes
Chair of the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration
Committee, James Small-Edwards AM, said:
“Londoners are not anti-development, they just want to be
engaged early and see homes built that they find visually
appealing.
“If we are to deliver 880,000 new homes over the next decade,
we must close the gap between what Londoners want and what is
getting built. Embedding popular design principles and meaningful
early engagement will be essential to maintaining public
confidence and delivering the homes our city needs.”
Notes for editors:
- Read the full letter
here.
