MHCLG and the Mayor of London published their package of emergency measures last week aimed at accelerating housebuilding in the capital.  

The package confirms targeted, time-limited support for housebuilders to improve the viability of housing schemes and get quicker approvals across every borough. This includes:

• A new fast track planning route for sites delivering at least 20% affordable housing. This rote is open to applications submitted and validated by 31 March 2028. 
• For this new fast track planning route of 20% affordable housing - Late Stage Review mechanisms have been replaced by an Early Stage Review – which will be triggered where an agreed build out milestone is not met within a stipulated time period. 
• CIL relief for eligible schemes. Viability evidence is required to demonstrate that the development is currently unviable. CIL relief will be available where schemes demonstrate through a residual appraisal that they are unviable. 
• Removal of targeted GLA guidance that can constrain density. This includes the withdrawal of Standard C4.1, which encouraged new homes to be dual aspect, and Standard B2.5, which suggested that there should be no more than eight homes per floor that are accessed by a single core. 
• An allocation of £324M will be used to establish a City Hall Developer Investment Fund (CHDIF), the objective being to support interventions on stalled sites, with priority given to projects where homes can be completed by Summer 2029 or earlier.

Commercial pressures have only increased since the consultation in November 2025, but the revised measures should now be easier to access and remove several of the more difficult review related risks. The window of opportunity remains very short, so developers will need to move quickly to benefit.

Please do reach out to the team below if you have any questions or if you are dealing with a stalled site which we may be able to assist.