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Video: Build higher to solve London’s housing crisis, says Steve Norris

With the population set to grow beyond 10M by 2030, the next Mayor of London must change the housing model to avoid a looming crisis, says former government minister Steve Norris.

The next Mayor of London could solve the capital’s housing crisis by simply allowing developers to build higher, said Norris, speaking to Infrastructure Intelligence Editor Antony Oliver at the recent Base London event in the city.

But the Mayor should not just be looking to develop new sites like Old Oak Common but should also borrow planning ideas from continental Europe to transform classic high streets with the potential to create additional storeys above shop fronts.

“Are we coping? The answer is not yet. Do we understand there is a problem – yes,” Steve Norris

“If we added one storey to every building in London we could solve the housing crisis overnight,” he said. “The Mayor should be saying “this is what I want in the London Plan’’.”

Perhaps pre-empting some of the conclusions of last week’s Treasury Productivity Report, Norris said the capital’s housing crisis can also be tackled by changing the current model to permit and encourage more development on brownfield land. 

“Crisis is not an inappropriate word,” he added. “But it is good to see that the current candidate running for Mayor actually understand the urgency and not just over the need for housing but also for transport, schools and clinics.”  

“Are we coping? The answer is not yet. Do we understand there is a problem – yes,” said Norris, emphasising that the next Mayor of London also had a major task to focus investment on all forms of infrastructure investment, not least around transport and on measures to boost energy efficiency in the capital.

"The next Mayor has to pick up these huge challegnes and it is not a task for the fient hearted." Steve Norris

“Are we doing enough to ensure that the city is energy efficient? No we are not,” he said. “We need a much more holistic approach and frankly we need a much more aggressive and brave approach.”

We have to make the case to central London to continue investment in the capital, he said to get on with Crossrail 2, tideway Tunnel and HS2 – then think about the next ideas.

“We have to have a vision and think imaginatively,” he said "The next Mayor has to pick up these huge challegnes and it is not a task for the feint hearted."

If you would like to contact Antony Oliver about this, or any other story, please email antony.oliver@infrastructure-intelligence.com.