London will fail to meet its ambitious target of building 88,000 new homes annually unless two major rail schemes are finally given government backing, the city's Deputy Mayor for Housing has starkly warned.
Infrastructure Key to Unlocking Development
Tom Copley told the London Assembly's Budget and Performance Committee that a "huge amount of infrastructure and funding" is essential to deliver the decade-long goal of 880,000 homes. This target forms part of the wider national aim for 1.5 million new homes across the UK by 2029.
While the upcoming London Plan will spatially plan for these homes, Mr Copley stressed it is not a delivery guarantee. He highlighted the recently approved DLR extension to Thamesmead as a positive example, set to unlock up to 30,000 homes, but said two other projects are equally vital.
Critical Projects Awaiting Green Light
The first is the long-discussed Bakerloo Line extension from Elephant & Castle through south-east London. Independent analysis from consulting firm Hatch suggests this could facilitate a staggering 107,000 new homes along the route if extended to Hayes.
The second is the proposed West London Orbital railway, which would connect Hendon and West Hampstead to Hounslow. This new line has the potential to support the delivery of up to 15,800 new homes.
Despite strong advocacy from Mayor Sadiq Khan's office, neither project was mentioned in the Autumn Budget of 2025. Although discussions between City Hall and Whitehall continue, there are currently no plans to approve the schemes in the immediate future.
Green Belt Building Also Inevitable
Mr Copley further reiterated that reaching the 88,000-home annual figure cannot be achieved without some construction on London's protected green belt land. He could not provide a specific estimate for how many homes would need to be built on such land but confirmed it is a necessary part of the equation.
The Deputy Mayor's comments place renewed pressure on ministers, including Housing Secretary Steve Reed, to reconsider infrastructure investment. With London's housing crisis deepening, the argument that transport and homes are fundamentally linked is becoming ever more urgent for City Hall.
