Tory hopeful Alex Challoner proposes scrapping housing quotas

Businessman Alex Challoner, who is seeking the Conservative nomination for Mayor of London, has put forward proposals that he claims could lead to the construction of nearly 300,000 new homes in the capital. His plans involve scrapping affordable housing quotas and overhauling planning regulations.

Park Royal and industrial land development

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Mr Challoner stated that his proposals could unlock land for 135,000 homes specifically in Park Royal, an area in west London. He also suggested that a further 157,000 homes could be built elsewhere in London by amending the London Plan. These amendments would aim to remove restrictions on using suitable industrial land for housing and encourage higher-density developments in locations with strong transport connections, according to Mr Challoner.

Affordable housing targets

A key element of Mr Challoner's plan is to eliminate mandatory affordable housing quotas, particularly under temporary emergency planning measures. He argues that these requirements can make developments financially unviable and prevent sites from being developed. Mr Challoner stated, "Sadiq Khan has failed to build the homes Londoners desperately need. While he announces targets he cannot deliver, young people are being priced out of the city they grew up in and families are struggling with soaring rents."

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He further commented, "London doesn't have a shortage of land. It has a shortage of political courage. We have vast industrial sites next to some of the best transport connections in the world, while rigid housing quotas stop viable developments ever getting off the ground."

Last year, the UK government and Mayor Sadiq Khan agreed to lower the required percentage of affordable housing for new developments in London from 35% to 20%. These measures were intended to expedite planning decisions and offer developers an incentive of a fast-tracked application if they committed to 20% affordable housing.

Mayoral candidacy

Mr Challoner, who founded Cavendish Communications, recently entered the race for the Conservative nomination. He has also proposed other policies, including a plan for police to guard Tube ticket gates as a visible deterrent. The Conservative candidate is expected to be selected in December, with James Cleverly, the MP for Braintree, reportedly holding significant support among London's Conservative councillors.