Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021
H8 Loss of Existing Housing and Estate Redevelopment
- Loss of existing housing should be replaced by new housing at existing or higher densities with at least the equivalent level of overall floorspace.
- Loss of hostels, staff accommodation and shared and supported accommodation that meet an identified housing need should be satisfactorily re-provided to an equivalent or better standard.
Demolition and replacement of affordable housing
- Before considering the demolition and replacement of affordable homes, boroughs, housing associations and their partners should always consider alternative options first. They should balance the potential benefits of demolition and rebuilding of homes against the wider social and environmental impacts and consider the availability of Mayoral funding and any conditions attached to that funding.
- Demolition of affordable housing, including where it is part of an estate redevelopment programme, should not be permitted unless it is replaced by an equivalent amount of affordable housing floorspace. Affordable housing that is replacing social rent housing must be provided as social rent housing where it is facilitating a right of return for existing tenants. Where affordable housing that is replacing social rent housing is not facilitating a right of return, it may be provided as either social rent or London Affordable Rent housing. Replacement affordable housing should be integrated into the development to ensure mixed and inclusive communities.
- All development proposals that include the demolition and replacement of affordable housing are required to follow the Viability Tested Route and should seek to provide an uplift in affordable housing in addition to the replacement affordable housing floorspace
For more information please see The London Plan 2021