GLA says development agency must ‘get to grips’ with using derelict land in the capital.

The Greater London Assembly has accused the London Development Agency of failing to develop derelict land in the capital.

In a report entitled ‘Dereliction of Duty?’ the GLA says the LDA has not raised awareness of financial packages for developing brownfield areas, making them seem less viable than they actually are for businesses, and putting more pressure on London’s green spaces.

Assembly member Darren Johnson said: “London is one of the greenest cities in the world, but between 1997 and 2000, the capital lost 105 hectares of green space to development, or an area the size of Kensington Gardens. The Olympics bring tremendous pressure for development in London. To prevent the capital becoming a massive concrete park, it is vital that developers are aware of the financial incentives available for building on brownfield sites.”

He called for the LDA to launch an information campaign and to “get to grips with the problem.”