London mayor releases TfL site in Greenwich for new homes

Khan has instructed TfL to bring forward the release of the four acre site which will deliver 400 new homes and has the potential for up to 5,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. As set out in the mayor's manifesto, 50% of the new homes will be allocated as affordable homes. The land also includes one acre of National Rail land.

This is the first site brought forward under the property partnerships framework which was set up in February 2016.

The site is adjacent to a national rail station and the Henley Cross bus station, the redevelopment also includes upgrades to the bus station. For the last eight years the site has stood empty; this is the first site the mayor has released as part of his commitment to deliver "genuinely affordable homes".

TfL aims to appoint a partner for the joint venture early next year and said that it hopes the development will be complete by 2020.

Khan said: "Getting homes built on public land can be hard, but after being elected I set to work immediately to make sure we get building on more of the hundreds of sites owned by Transport for London, stretching right across the capital, that have been allowed to languish unused for far too long. This site in Kidbrooke will be the first of many we are fast-tracking to build genuinely affordable homes for Londoners.”

On the same day, Khan also announced details of the new "homes for Londoners" team at City Hall. The London mayor has started recruiting and team members will range from finance surveyors and property consultant experts. The team will analyse viability assessments, assist with planning decisions and ensure any new developments include the greatest number of affordable homes possible.

The mayor's office said that Khan will lead a new 'Homes for Londoners' board made up of London boroughs, housing associations, and developers. "The board will oversee delivery, land assembly and investment decisions, and will draw on expertise from across the housing and property sectors to help develop new policy for the capital," his office said.

Planning expert Susanne Andreasen of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said: "Kidbrooke is the first site brought forward by TfL under the new mayor and an important first step for Khan in delivering his manifesto pledge to provide affordable homes on public land assets."

"It will be interesting to monitor developer interest in the site. Whilst the requirement to provide 50% affordable housing will affect the viability of any scheme on the site, any reduction is likely to be reflected in the land's sale value. This also marks a shift in the approach to sales of public land for development from the previous mayor," said Andreasen.