Sadiq Khan

Dear Petitioner

Thank you for the petition submitted on the change.org website seeking a six-month freeze on planning consents for new tall buildings.

The Mayor’s statutory planning powers are strictly defined by the Mayor of London Order (2008), with the Mayor referred strategic planning applications that meet a set of criteria primarily based on size. Further information on the Mayor's planning powers can be found on the City Hall website through the following link: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/planning-applications-and-decisions/what-powers-does-mayor-have-planning.

Once a local planning authority refers an application to the Mayor, the Mayor has a statutory duty to consider it within six-weeks; the Mayor has no powers to delay or extend this statutory referral period.

The Mayor has asked officers to undertake a full review of the London Plan immediately. In revising the Plan, the Mayor will assess how effective the existing London Plan has been in resisting inappropriate tall buildings and consider additional measures if these are necessary. The London Plan will be subject to comprehensive public consultation, during which time the Mayor will welcome your comments with regards to tall buildings. Further details on the London Plan can be found on the City Hall website at: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan.

Yours sincerely


Public Liaison Unit
Greater London Authority