Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023

95 Contents of the spatial development strategy

(1) Section 334 of GLAA 1999 (the spatial development strategy) is amended as follows.

(2) For subsections (2) to (6) substitute—

“(2A) The spatial development strategy must include a statement of the Mayor’s policies (however expressed), in relation to the development and use of land in Greater London, which are—

(a) of strategic importance to Greater London, and

(b) designed to achieve objectives that relate to the particular characteristics or circumstances of Greater London.

(2B) The spatial development strategy may specify or describe infrastructure the provision of which the Mayor considers to be of strategic importance to Greater London for the purposes of—

(a) supporting or facilitating development in Greater London,

(b) mitigating, or adapting to, climate change, or

(c) promoting or improving the economic, social or environmental well-being of Greater London.

(2C) The spatial development strategy may specify or describe affordable housing the provision of which the Mayor considers to be of strategic importance to Greater London.

(2D) For the purposes of subsections (2A) to (2C) a matter—

(a) may be of strategic importance to Greater London if it does not affect the whole area of Greater London, but

(b) is not to be regarded as being of strategic importance to Greater London, unless it is of strategic importance to more than one London borough.

(2E) The Secretary of State may, by regulations under section 343 below, prescribe further matters the spatial development strategy may, or must, deal with.”

(3) After subsection (8) insert—

“(9) The spatial development strategy must be designed to secure that the use and development of land in Greater London contribute to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.

(10) The spatial development strategy must take account of any local nature recovery strategy, under section 104 of the Environment Act 2021, that relates to an area in Greater London, including in particular—

(a) the areas identified in the strategy as areas which—

(i) are, or could become, of particular importance for biodiversity, or

(ii) are areas where the recovery or enhancement of biodiversity could make a particular contribution to other environmental benefits,

(b) the priorities set out in the strategy for recovering or enhancing biodiversity, and

(c) the proposals set out in the strategy as to potential measures relating to those priorities.

(11) The spatial development strategy must not—

(a) include anything that is not permitted or required by or under subsections (2A) to (8),

(b) specify particular sites where development should take place, or

(c) be inconsistent with or (in substance) repeat any national development management policy.”