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Some papers are today suggesting @MayorofLondon Sadiq Khan is "implicated" in the Westferry planning row.
Nice try, but Khan was just informing Desmond of official London development policy, which offers a Fast Track Route for developments offering 35% affordable housing. https://twitter.com/thetimes/status/1276747235921932290">https://twitter.com/thetimes/...
Nice try, but Khan was just informing Desmond of official London development policy, which offers a Fast Track Route for developments offering 35% affordable housing. https://twitter.com/thetimes/status/1276747235921932290">https://twitter.com/thetimes/...
The key quote from the story is Desmond claiming that "Sadiq told me that if I wanted to look at a denser scheme, as long as I gave him 35 per cent affordable housing he would support it and would fast track it." https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8464245/amp/Richard-Desmond-says-Sadiq-Khan-promised-fast-track-controversial-1bn-Westferry-development.html">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
But according to London& #39;s catchily titled Affordable Housing and Viability Supplementary Planning Guidance -
"Under the Threshold Approach, development proposals that provide 35 per cent affordable housing .. can follow the Fast Track Route." https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/implementing-london-plan/planning-guidance/affordable-housing-and-viability-supplementary-planning-guidance-spg">https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-d...
"Under the Threshold Approach, development proposals that provide 35 per cent affordable housing .. can follow the Fast Track Route." https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/implementing-london-plan/planning-guidance/affordable-housing-and-viability-supplementary-planning-guidance-spg">https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-d...
Khan claims he can& #39;t remember talking to Desmond, but even if Desmond& #39;s telling the truth it looks like all Khan did was tell him about a policy that, as a London property developer, he should really have known already.
A far cry from what Jenrick did... https://twitter.com/_johnbye/status/1276415171209158656">https://twitter.com/_johnbye/...
A far cry from what Jenrick did... https://twitter.com/_johnbye/status/1276415171209158656">https://twitter.com/_johnbye/...
In a separate article for The Times last weekend, Desmond is described as "alleging that [Khan] privately offered his support for the scheme before doing a U-turn".
But also seems to be misleading. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/robert-jenrick-watched-housing-promo-video-on-richard-desmonds-phone-bqb0s8kz2">https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/r...
But also seems to be misleading. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/robert-jenrick-watched-housing-promo-video-on-richard-desmonds-phone-bqb0s8kz2">https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/r...
The affordable housing planning guidance also says developments have to "meet tenure, affordability and other relevant requirements".
The Westferry scheme didn& #39;t meet the tenure requirements.
So was it "crap conduct" by Khan, or following the rules? https://www.egi.co.uk/news/khan-steps-in-on-desmonds-westferry-printworks-plans/">https://www.egi.co.uk/news/khan...
The Westferry scheme didn& #39;t meet the tenure requirements.
So was it "crap conduct" by Khan, or following the rules? https://www.egi.co.uk/news/khan-steps-in-on-desmonds-westferry-printworks-plans/">https://www.egi.co.uk/news/khan...
Ironically, the other issue Khan raised with the updated scheme was its impact on local infrastructure.
Jenrick rushed Desmond& #39;s appeal to save him having to pay a £45m community infrastructure levy to Tower Hamlets (aka "the Marxists"). https://twitter.com/_johnbye/status/1276415307582705665">https://twitter.com/_johnbye/...
Jenrick rushed Desmond& #39;s appeal to save him having to pay a £45m community infrastructure levy to Tower Hamlets (aka "the Marxists"). https://twitter.com/_johnbye/status/1276415307582705665">https://twitter.com/_johnbye/...
Also, although the plan rejected by Tower Hamlets initially met the 35% affordable housing target for fast tracking, when Desmond appealed that decision he reduced it to just 21%!
This would have saved him another £106m if Jenrick& #39;s ruling had stood. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53159091">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-p...
This would have saved him another £106m if Jenrick& #39;s ruling had stood. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53159091">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-p...
