Darren Johnson announces 2010 Worst Planning Decision shortlist

Four of Mayor Boris Johnson’s most controversial planning decisions are in the running for London Assembly Member Darren Johnson’s annual “worst planning decision” award.

The Green Party AM gives the award, an inscribed breeze-block, for the planning decision he considers to be the most damaging, in parallel to the Mayor’s London Planning Awards.

This year’s shortlist for the prize is:

London City Airport, Newham
“Doubling the number of flights will mean huge increases in noise for residents and increasing carbon emissions from a Mayor who claims to lead the fight against climate change.”

Brent Cross Cricklewood, Barnet
“By waving through a development that will create a surge in traffic and air pollution, the Mayor has undermined city-wide efforts to improve air quality, and has done nothing to help severely affected centres in neighbouring boroughs.”

Columbus Tower, Tower Hamlets
“The Mayor intervened to help this 63 storey tower go ahead on the edge of Canary Wharf against the local council’s wishes, apparently because Crossrail money was at stake.”

Project: Ferrier Estate, Greenwich
“The Mayor gave no objections to this regeneration project, which will slash the number of social rented homes from 1,730 to 730 in a London borough with 13,486 households on its waiting list.”

Announcing the shortlist Johnson said: “The Mayor’s second year in charge of London’s biggest planning decisions has revealed his true priorities. Despite all his talk about sweetening the air and making London pleasant, he is waving through developments that will increase noise and pollution. The Mayor has overruled a local council for Crossrail money, but has shown little leadership in stemming the loss of affordable housing and the probable growth in congestion.”

The winner of the 2010 Worst Planning Decision Award will be announced in March, the day before the Mayor hosts the London Planning Awards in City Hall.