BusinessLDN at UKREiiF 2026: Holding the line on delivery in a more politically fragmented London

London’s political map looks very different following the recent local elections. Several boroughs are now under no overall control, majorities have shifted, and decision-making is set to become more complex in the months ahead. For those bringing forward homes and development, this points to a period of uncertainty.

But the need to deliver remains.

That was the starting point for our UKREiiF landing dinner on Monday evening, sponsored by Barratt London. Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Regeneration, joined BusinessLDN Chief Executive John Dickie to open a discussion on what it will take to keep schemes moving.

Jules set out a clear message. City Hall is looking to work closely with new local authorities and help find a way through. New councillors will take time to find their feet, but the priority is early engagement on new schemes and a particular emphasis on trying to help stalled development. Housing delivery remains central to the Mayor’s ambitions for the capital, and the GLA stands ready to help kick-start development.

That approach is supported by a set of practical levers. The Mayor has enhanced powers through Mayoral Development Orders, existing commitments such as the renewal of Oxford Street remain unchanged, and internal capacity is being bolstered through initiatives including London ATLAS. The message was one of continuity in direction, combined with a sharper focus on how schemes are supported in practice.

Jules also highlighted the close working relationship the GLA has with central government, as shown through the introduction of emergency housebuilding measures in London. However, Jules reflected that on some matters relating to strategic planning policy in the capital, there will sometimes be a need for the capital to forge a slightly different path to that of national policy, one that better aligns with the capital’s needs. 

Attention will soon turn to the next London Plan, to be published this summer. City Hall is aiming to move more quickly from consultation to adoption, with a shorter plan and with little to no duplication of national policy. The goal is a clearer, more streamlined framework to guide development over the next 20 years and more.

The wider discussion underlined just how difficult that environment has become. Global factors are increasingly shaping what can be delivered at a London level, particularly on housebuilding, and in many cases are overtaking the tools available locally. It also raises a more fundamental question about whether the current model funding and delivery model will ever produce enough to meet demand, or whether a reset is needed in how London brings forward new homes, with a stronger focus on long-term approaches.

In that context, the National Housing Bank was highlighted as a potentially significant part of the answer. Alongside that, there was a clear view that demand-side measures are needed now to kick-start buyer appetite. Without that, schemes will continue to stall and supply will remain constrained.

At the same time, there was little disagreement that the public sector will need to play a bigger role if London is to build at scale. That introduces difficult questions around public sector borrowing to help fund development, and how global markets may react

The case for further devolution is also clear. Greater control at a London level, particularly when it comes to infrastructure, could play a catalytic role in unlocking land for development. Without that investment, many sites will remain stuck regardless of changes in planning policy.

Public sentiment is shifting, too. Concern among younger Londoners about the lack of new homes is growing, creating an opportunity to broaden support for development. Making that case clearly and consistently will matter.

The politics may now be more complex. But the underlying challenge is unchanged: keeping London building.