Fifty four per cent of Londoners oppose plans to award the Mayor of London extra powers to decide planning applications across the capital – according to a GfK NOP survey released today by the Association of London Government.
Only 27 per cent support proposals to award the Mayor further powers over planning, while, when asked who should be mainly responsible for planning in their area, an overwhelming 75 per cent of Londoners named their local council.
Under the proposals published by the Government in July, the Mayor would be able to overrule any council’s wishes and effectively deprive local communities of their ability to influence what gets built in their neighbourhood.
The survey of a thousand Londoners reveals that the majority of the capital’s residents disagree with Government plans to give the Mayor of London powers over strategic planning applications in London.
It also reveals that Londoners believe that local councils listen to them more than the Mayor does, and keep them better informed of the services they provide.
Key findings include:
- 54 per cent of Londoners oppose the Mayor being granted further powers over planning; only 27 per cent support the proposal to extend his powers;
- 75 per cent want their local council to be mainly responsible for planning decisions in their area;
- 68 per cent of Londoners agree that their local council should be given more powers to decide whether planning permission should be granted in their local area. Only 23 per cent agreed when asked if they thought that the Mayor should be given such powers;
- However, when asked if they thought the system of granting planning permission in their area should be left as it is only 23 per cent believed that there should be any change;
- 63 per cent state that their local council keeps them well informed of the services and benefits it provides, while only 49 per cent say the same for the Mayor;
- Half of Londoners say that their local council takes their views into account before making a decision. Only 33 per cent believe that the Mayor of London does the same.
Launching the survey, ALG chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said:
“This is a clear message from Londoners to the Government: they want their council – and not the Mayor – to have control over planning projects in their neighbourhoods.
“Londoners feel that the Mayor does not take their views into account when making big decisions – but they know that their local council does. They want the decisions affecting their communities to be taken from within their communities.
“We think the Government should listen to what Londoners want. They prefer the way their council works to the way the Mayor works. They do not want the Mayor of London’s powers increased because they trust their local council to make the big decisions affecting their neighbourhoods – and they want to see them granted more powers to do just that.”
The survey was representative of London as a whole. As such it covered individuals from a range of backgrounds.
ENDS
The survey report is available online.
While the ALG has welcomed some of the new powers proposed for the Mayor of London it has concerns over the proposals on planning and some elements of those on housing. For more information visit www.alg.gov.uk/glapowers
The survey was carried out by GfK NOP, commissioned by the Association of London Government on behalf of London’s 33 local authorities and project managed by Westminster City council.
GfK NOP interviewed a quota sample of 1,000 Londoners aged 16+ by telephone. All interviews were completed between 4 and 10 September 2006. Data is weighted to the profile of Londoners. As such the majority of respondents were from occupational groups B (middle management, owners of small businesses), C1 (junior management, owners of small establishments, pensioners) and C2 (skilled manual workers and pensioners).
GfK NOP is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Respondents were asked about their named local council throughout the questionnaire rather than generically asked about "their local council".
The ALG is committed to fighting for more resources for London and getting the best possible deal for London's 33 councils and other member London authorities. Part think-tank, part lobbying organisation and part service provider, the ALG formulates policies, organises campaigns, supports borough services and runs a range of its own services all designed to make life better for Londoners.
For press enquiries please contact: Chris Hogwood on 020 7934 9757 Christopher.hogwood@alg.gov.uk Fax 020 7934 9769
