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Mayor accused of allowing “Downton Abbey” approach to affordable housing

October 23, 2013 by Martin Hoscik

Darren Johnson says the Mayor supports a “Downton Abbey” approach to affordable housing.
Darren Johnson says the Mayor supports a “Downton Abbey” approach to affordable housing.
Mayor Boris Johnson has been accused of allowing a “Downton Abbey” approach to affordable housing after refusing to clamp down on developers segregating affordable and unsubsidised properties.

At Wednesday’s Mayor’s Question Time, Green party London Assembly Member Darren Johnson urged the Mayor to refuse planning permission for developments with separate entrances and lifts for affordable units.

The Mayor told Assembly Member Johnson that it was wrong to prescribe a single approach which might stop homes being built.

He said that in some cases locating affordable units on a different site or using different entrances was the only way to secure much needed new homes.

After the meeting Mr Johnson AM commented: “I’m disappointed that the Mayor refused to clamp down on this trend, which is like something out of Downton Abbey. He is helping rich investors build expensive flats, not Londoners get a home they can afford.
 
“The Mayor should threaten to refuse applications that segregate affordable housing.”

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