Hayes & Coney Hall Councillors have condemned Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan’s announcement that he plans to build on green belt land.

The Mayor’s plans appear to go even further than the current “grey belt” review being undertaken by the City Hall. This confirms fears raised by Conservatives that Transport for London was secretly pushing to build on verdant green belt land. The Mayor’s announcement came after he told the London Assembly in 2024 that “[City Hall] must look at strengthening [and] improving the quality of green infrastructure in the green belt.”

Locally, Hayes & Coney Hall Councillors have consistently opposed any proposals to alter the green belt which characterises the Ward. They have also worked with Conservative-led Bromley Council to make sure affordable homes are delivered while protecting cherished green spaces.

Cllr Thomas Turrell AM, who is also the City Hall Conservatives Environment Spokesman, expressed his disgust at the Mayor’s plans. He said: 

“Having just walked the entire London LOOP, I’ve seen first-hand the incredible value our green belt brings to our city – from biodiversity and flood protection to mental wellbeing and clean air. I am absolutely disgusted that the Mayor has lied to Londoners’ faces. He has previously spoken about the benefits the green belt brings to London in terms of environment and mental wellbeing. Now he is prepared to turn his back on Londoners and the capital’s green spaces to satisfy his masters in No. 10. Where is his backbone?”

Cllr. Colin Smith, Leader of Bromley Council, said:

“The truth is that Bromley is one of few London Councils delivering affordable housing at present, with eight sites secured in recent years to deliver around 300 homes and more sites in the pipeline. Rather embarrassingly for Khan, even his own Deputy recently praised this progress.

“Additionally, the Council has secured over 800 properties in recent years through multi-million-pound partnership projects with investors to help combat the ongoing and severe challenges facing all London Councils in housing homeless families.

“There is, of course, more to be done to provide further affordable housing, which the Council is doing at appropriate sites across the borough, while continuing to protect our Bromley’s treasured green belt.”