Barnet Council Objects to Khan's Green Belt Housing Plans
North London borough raises concerns over housing targets and reliance on protected land release.
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The central claim is attributed to Barnet Council and Sadiq Khan's office, with a letter from a named official cited.
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The article explains why the issue matters, quotes the council's concerns, and details the next steps in the plan review.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The headline uses 'pushes back' which is slightly strong, but the article itself is measured.
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Barnet Council has voiced strong objections to key proposals within the draft London Plan, citing significant concerns over housing targets and the potential release of Green Belt land. The north London borough is expected to build almost 33,000 homes over the next decade, with a substantial portion, 7,000 homes, provisionally allocated for development on protected Green Belt sites.
Concerns Over Housing Targets and Green Belt Reliance
Barnet Council objects to Mayor's London Plan
Concerns raised over housing targets and Green Belt policies in formal response to City Hall.
The council's principal objections, detailed in a letter to Mayor Sadiq Khan, focus on the evidential basis for the proposed housing targets and the reliance on releasing Green Belt land to meet them. The draft London Plan suggests that developments on Green Belt land could be permissible under specific conditions, including proximity to public transport links. Barnet has been identified as having several well-connected train stations near areas with Green Belt land suitable for growth.
The letter was sent from Neeru Kareer, the council's assistant director of planning and building control, and was signed off by the council's cabinet. Barnet Council, which operates under a Labour minority administration, stated that its concerns were principally related to the housing targets and the proposed use of Green Belt land. This pushback represents a notable instance of internal disagreement within the Labour party in London.
Context of Local and London-Wide Planning
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The London Plan sets out planning policy for the entire capital, providing guidance for individual boroughs to develop their own local plans. Barnet adopted its most recent Local Plan in March 2025, outlining its development targets and strategies. The draft London Plan, which is currently under review following public consultation, aims to deliver 558,000 homes across London by 2037.
Barnet Council had previously indicated that the Mayor does not have the authority to directly alter the borough's Green Belt designations as part of the London Plan. The Mayor's office has described the draft London Plan as a "bold vision" for a fairer, greener, and more prosperous London.
Next Steps
The council's concerns have been formally communicated to the Mayor. It is unclear at this stage what further action Barnet Council will take or how the Mayor's office will respond to these objections as the draft London Plan moves through its review process.
Questions this report answers
+What are Barnet Council's main concerns about the draft London Plan?
Barnet Council's principal concerns relate to the evidential basis for the proposed housing targets and the reliance on releasing Green Belt land to achieve those targets. The council is tasked with building nearly 33,000 homes, including 7,000 on protected Green Belt sites.
+How many homes is Barnet expected to build and how many on Green Belt land?
Barnet Council has been tasked with building almost 33,000 homes over the next decade. Of this total, 7,000 homes are provisionally allocated for development on Green Belt land, which is a protected area.
+Who sent the letter detailing Barnet's concerns to the Mayor?
The letter detailing Barnet Council's concerns was sent to Mayor Sadiq Khan by Neeru Kareer, the council's assistant director of planning and building control. The letter was subsequently signed off by the council's cabinet.
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