The 2026 draft London Plan proposes changes to housing delivery, small-site development, building form and the use of land, but it is not yet adopted. A current application still needs an assessment against operative policy, with the relevant draft policies considered separately under the rules for emerging plans. [1][2]
What may change for smaller projects?
The GLA's published “Making best use of land” summary proposes a stronger emphasis on using well-connected sites efficiently. It includes mid-rise development, small sites and opportunities within existing neighbourhoods, rather than treating all additional housing as large redevelopment schemes. Its proposed policies also address tall buildings, design and heritage. These are proposals to be tested through the plan process, not new permitted-development rights. [3]
For a garden, infill or replacement-house proposal, this means examining the actual draft policy and location rather than assuming that a general message about more housing settles the site's acceptability. The same draft chapter addresses design and heritage alongside development capacity. A supportive strategic aim does not remove the need to deal with the other relevant policies. [3]
Housing and neighbourhood proposals
The housing chapter summary covers housing targets, existing housing, affordable housing and the mix of homes. It proposes different approaches to market and affordable housing mix, recognising the role of smaller market homes and the need for larger affordable family homes where appropriate. The draft's housing proposals should therefore be checked against both the development type and the local evidence; they are not a single unit-mix formula for every conversion. [4]
The summary also describes a strategic affordable-housing objective and proposed planning routes. A strategic objective, a route-specific threshold and a borough's current application requirement are different things. Do not transfer a headline percentage into a site appraisal without identifying which policy and route it belongs to. [4]
Draft policy has a measured role now
National policy DM4 identifies three considerations for emerging policies: how far preparation has progressed, the extent of unresolved objections and consistency with the relevant national policies. The practical question is therefore how much weight a particular draft provision carries in the particular decision, not whether every draft provision can be ignored or must already be obeyed. [2]
The NPPF published on 17 August 2026 is a separate, current policy document. Its Annex A addresses the weight of existing development-plan provisions that conflict materially with national decision-making policies. Do not confuse that national implementation rule with the future adoption of a replacement London Plan. [5][6]
Consultation and the next stages
The GLA portal gives 15 October 2026 at 17:00 as the main consultation deadline. It also records corrections to the draft on 27 July, 1 September and 11 September 2026. Check the current consultation material and any separately notified arrangements for corrected material before relying on a downloaded copy. [1]
After considering responses, the GLA says it intends to submit the plan for examination in 2027. Examination and any necessary modifications come before adoption; the portal does not establish a fixed adoption date. These stages may change the final wording. [1]
Keep a project-specific comparison
A useful working document separates three things: the operative development-plan requirement, the relevant draft proposal and the practical effect on the design. Record the precise policy code and version rather than writing only “new London Plan”. This makes it possible to update the assessment without treating an earlier draft as the final rule. [2][3][4]