The City Hall Conservatives have today condemned Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan's shocking announcement that he plans to concrete over London's greenbelt, describing it as a "total betrayal of Londoners" and "environmental vandalism on an unprecedented scale".
Speaking at an event in Greenwich, the Mayor revealed his intentions to build on London's protected greenbelt land, sparking outrage amongst Conservatives.
The Mayor's plans appear to go even further than the current "greybelt" review being undertaken by the City Hall, confirming fears raised by City Hall Conservative Assembly Members that Transport for London was secretly pushing to build on verdant greenbelt land. This came after he told the London Assembly in 2024 that "[City Hall] must look at strengthening [and] improving the quality of green infrastructure in the green belt."
City Hall Conservatives point out that the previous Conservative Government gave Sir Sadiq almost £9bn to build affordable housing in the capital, and yet has managed record lows for housing completion. They say that now, he's been left with no choice but to grab at the greenbelt in an attempt to hide how his failures have exacerbated London's housing crisis.
Susan Hall AM, Leader of the City Hall Conservatives, said:
"Once again, Sadiq Khan has shown his true colours by dancing to the tune the Labour Government sets. This is a Mayor who will sacrifice London's precious green spaces to appease his Labour paymasters. Londoners elected him on a promise to protect our environment, but it's now clear those promises weren't worth the recycled paper they were printed on."
Andrew Boff AM, City Hall Conservatives Planning Spokesman, added:
"The Mayor has repeatedly stood in the London Assembly chamber and given categorical assurances that he would protect London's greenbelt. This announcement is a complete betrayal of those promises and shows utter contempt for Londoners who treasure these vital green spaces. When Khan says only 13% of the greenbelt is parks and public areas, he must be asked – is he looking to axe the remaining 87%?"
"Londoners want, and need, homes that they can afford to live in and which are high quality. The Mayor has the land, and has had the money, to do this. If he wants to stand up and say that London has a housing crisis, he might want to ask himself why he let it get that bad considering the Conservatives gave him £9bn to fix it."
Thomas Turrell AM, City Hall Conservatives Environment Spokesman, who recently completed the 169-mile London LOOP Greenbelt walk, expressed his disgust at the Mayor's plans:
"Having just walked the entire London LOOP, I've seen first-hand the incredible value our greenbelt brings to our city - from biodiversity and flood protection to mental wellbeing and clean air. I am absolutely disgusted that the Mayor has lied to Londoners faces. He has previously spoken about the benefits the greenbelt brings to London in terms of environment and mental wellbeing. Now he's prepared to turn his back Londoners and green spaces to satisfy his masters in No10, selling out London in the process. Where is his backbone?"
The Mayor's announcement also vindicates concerns previously raised by Alessandro Georgiou AM, City Hall Conservatives Economy Spokesman, who questioned the Mayor about TfL's intentions for greenbelt land last December.
Alessandro Georgiou AM said:
"In December, I directly challenged the Mayor about reports that TfL was pushing to build on verdant greenbelt land in Enfield. Khan looked me in the eye and assured me that London's greenbelt was not up for grabs. This announcement is nothing short of a betrayal - to residents in Enfield, to Londoners, to me. It proves what we've long suspected - that this Mayor says one thing in public while quietly planning the opposite behind closed doors."
The City Hall Conservatives are calling for an immediate reversal of these plans and have vowed to fight the Mayor's greenbelt betrayal now that the London Assembly is back in session.
