Livingstone plans receive mixed reaction

The mayor unveiled his housing strategy earlier this week, emphasising the importance of providing affordable housing and the recognition of the help provided by the private sector.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has said that Mr Livingstone's intention to create a professionally managed private rental sector represented a welcome focus on the need for institutional investment in the sector.

"The Mayor is therefore to be commended for recognising the importance of the sector and integrating it into his strategy – a sharp contrast with the recent housing green paper, which was silent on the use and role of the private rented sector," commented BPF director for residential policy Ian Fletcher.

"What is often forgotten is that the private rented sector is bigger in London, than either housing association or council provision," Mr Fletcher added.

However, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has said that the capital's plan to maximise development in neighbouring areas represented "an extraordinary volte face".


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