Affordable housing doubled following mayor’s development approval

In February (2017) going in contradiction of the advice of its planning officers, Barnet Council refused permission for the development, and requested it to be located on the former National Institute for Medical Research site.

At the time, it was anticipated the plans would include 20% affordable housing.

A £4.56 million contribution to affordable housing was included in the application at the point the plans were called in by Khan.

Using his planning powers to negotiate, Khan managed to raise the number of affordable housing to 40%;

• 185 homes will be affordable,
• 131 for shared ownership,
• 54 at social rent levels.

The following was said by Khan:

“Delivering more of the genuinely affordable homes Londoners need is one of my top priorities as mayor, and I will use all the tools at my disposable to do so. This development offers a significant number of high-quality homes which will be available through shared ownership, to help people struggling to buy a home on the open market. I have also been able to secure new homes at social rent levels within the development, which is key to helping Londoners on low incomes and to making sure we build a mixed community here.”