The
Plan is a spatial development strategy for the capital over the next 20 years.
It will have a huge effect on the lives of Londoners. Among its objectives are:
to accommodate the city’s growth within its boundaries without encroaching on
open spaces, and to make London a more attractive, well-designed and green city.
Nic
Ferriday has been working hard on West London Friends of the Earth’s statements
for the London Plan Examination in Public, on the subjects of Climate Change and
Green Infrastructure. These statements are updates to the original submission,
and respond to specific questions asked by the inspector.
Mayor
Boris Johnson has proposed a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2025.
In his submission, Nic said: ““We support this ambitious but achievable target.
Climate change is, quite simply, the most important issue on earth. If the
issue of climate change is not addressed, all of the social, economic and many
of the environmental objectives of the London Plan will ultimately fail. London,
if it seeks to be a truly world class city, should be in the vanguard of action
on climate change.”
Nic
took part in the debate on Climate Change last month. Also present were
developers who, while paying lip service to the idea of tackling on climate
change, were opposed to strong action to achieve the targets.
Nic
has this to say: “The division
between developers and others was stark indeed. But it is not hard to see why.
The Mayor, the councils and the amenity and environmental groups all represent
the people of London and they care deeply about its future. But for developers,
London is merely an opportunity to make a large profit from new buildings.
Building to low environmental standards would be cheaper and more profitable for
developers than the high-quality, energy-efficient buildings that the rest of us
want to see. We hope for the sake of Londoners that the Mayor’s climate target
and building standards are not watered down.”
Nic
fears developers will have an adverse effect on the city’s green spaces. Most of
them are trying to avoid responsibility for enhancing open space. Indeed, the Home Builders’ Federation
thinks ’green infrastructure’ needs to be more precisely defined, and should be
limited to recognised parks and public gardens.
As Nic says “This statement means that woods, commons, riversides and any other wonderful open spaces that are not designated as parks or gardens could be built over. It is this sort of attitude that makes the public regard developers as the enemy.”