Croydon Council opposes draft London Plan’s 5,600 green‑belt homes
Mayor Jason Perry says the borough can meet its housing target without building on protected land and has lodged formal objections before the 15 October deadline.
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Croydon Council submitted a formal objection to the draft London Plan on 12 July, stating it will not accept the allocation of 5,600 homes on the borough’s green belt. The move was announced by Executive Mayor Jason Perry, who said the council will continue to defend the green belt for local residents.
Background to the draft London Plan
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The draft plan, released for public comment, sets Croydon’s ten‑year housing target at 21,544 homes. Of these, 15,944 are to be built on brownfield sites and 5,600 on green‑belt land. The green‑belt allocation marks a shift from the 2021 plan, which did not earmark any new homes on protected land.
Mayor’s transport and infrastructure concerns
Perry told London Assembly members that the existing tram and rail network would struggle to serve an additional 5,600 households. He highlighted water‑pressure problems and the lack of roads, electricity and gas infrastructure as further obstacles. The mayor argued that building on the green belt would create “cut‑off” communities without substantial investment.
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“The big issue with the green belt is once it’s gone it’s gone,”
Jason Perry, Croydon Mayor
Council’s formal opposition
Croydon Council’s written objection, filed before the 15 October deadline, stresses that the borough can achieve the four‑percent increase in housing without encroaching on protected land. The council also called for a focus on brownfield and stalled sites that already have planning permission, arguing this would protect town‑centre regeneration opportunities.
The draft London Plan remains under consultation until 15 October. After the deadline, the Greater London Authority will consider all objections before finalising the plan. Croydon residents can submit additional comments via the public portal, and the council will monitor any revisions that may affect the borough’s housing strategy.
Questions this report answers
+How many homes does the draft London Plan propose for Croydon's green belt?
The draft London Plan allocates 5,600 homes to be built on Croydon's green‑belt land. This figure forms part of the borough’s overall ten‑year target of 21,544 homes and has prompted the council’s formal opposition.
+When did Croydon Council submit its opposition to the draft plan?
Croydon Council lodged its formal objection before the consultation deadline of 15 October, as reported by MyLondon. The submission was made in July, ensuring the council’s concerns are recorded for the plan’s review.
+What does Mayor Jason Perry say about transport links for the new homes?
Mayor Perry argues that the existing tram and rail services cannot accommodate an extra 5,600 residents without major upgrades. He warned that insufficient transport would isolate new communities and that infrastructure investment must precede any green‑belt development.
+What is Croydon's overall housing target for the next ten years?
The draft London Plan sets Croydon's ten‑year housing target at 21,544 homes, including 15,944 on brownfield sites and 5,600 on green‑belt land. The council believes the target can be met without using protected green‑belt areas.
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