time for a turn of the tide – re-creating effective regional planning for the wider London region

Simmons explores alternative scenarios for bringing sustainable planning across the metropolitan region in England. The London Mayor's draft new London Plan, to be 'examined in public' by an appointed panel this winter, throws into focus the relationship between administrative Greater London and the Wider South East (WSE). He starts at the premise that an effective revival of regional planning is essential to provide the London region's co-ordinated and sustainable growth, balancing what can be achieved within London with provision elsewhere, and taking account of the reality that, despite enhancements, strategic transport and other infrastructure capacity is virtually exhausted by the extensive development of recent decades. This means planning to locate growth where new infrastructure capacity can be most efficiently provided.