Boris Johnson has been accused of “recycling announcements” after his office today released a statement claiming he has “asked for an audit of land owned across the GLA family” to identify potential sites for new homes.
Appearing before the London Assembly in July, Johnson told Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Mike Tuffrey that an audit of London Development Agency and Transport for London land was already under way.
Asked by Tuffrey: “In relation to the 7,000 possible units of land held by TfL and the 32,000 possible units from the LDA – have you wielded your stick and got them to come up with a strategy?” Johnson replied that “the LDA’s Asset Management Strategy has recently identified 15 possible new sites for disposal” and said TfL “is working to bring forward a number of sites for residential development as a part of its property development strategy and in support of Building a Better London.”
Today City Hall released a statement coinciding with the Mayor’s appearance at his Housing Investment Summit stating he “has asked for an audit of land owned across the GLA family, including Transport for London, the London Development Agency and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, to identify potential development sites.”
Reacting to the statement Tuffrey said: “I am baffled by the Mayor declaring today that he would like to see an audit of land owned across the GLA when the Mayor is on record as claiming such an audit has already been undertaken!”
“The Mayor clearly needs to spend more time delivering on his pledges and less time recycling announcements.”
Green Party AM Jenny Jones has also criticised Johnson, accusing him of “rehashing his manifesto” by re-announcing pervious commitments for new shared ownership homes. Jones said: “One and a half years into his term he should be announcing delivery of affordable homes, not rehashing his manifesto.”
