Brent and Hillingdon share opposing views on the London Plan

Hillingdon and Brent take sharply different positions on the draft London Plan, even though both speak from the perspective of boroughs under pressure to accommodate London’s housing needs.

Hillingdon is fundamentally critical. It argues that the Plan places unrealistic housing demands on the borough, especially through its proposed green belt allocations. The council says the figures are not properly evidence-based and are not matched by a credible infrastructure plan. Its response frames the Plan as top-down and insufficiently sensitive to local communities, environmental protection, or the cumulative strain created by Heathrow expansion, logistics growth and other major development pressures. In short, Hillingdon wants the Mayor to scale back and rethink the approach.

Brent, by contrast, is broadly supportive. It welcomes the Plan’s ambitions for more homes, especially affordable homes, as well as sustainable growth, climate resilience and town-centre renewal. Brent presents itself as a borough already delivering at scale and argues that it stands ready to continue helping tackle the housing crisis. However, its support is conditional: it insists that boroughs cannot meet London’s ambitions alone and need investment and support from City Hall.

The contrast is therefore about both scale and philosophy. Hillingdon emphasises limits, restraint and green belt protection; Brent emphasises delivery, regeneration and partnership.

Hillingdon sees the Plan as imposing excessive growth without the means to deliver it.

Brent sees the Plan as directionally right, but in need of funding and practical backing. Both councils want realistic planning, but Hillingdon is resisting the housing numbers, while Brent is asking for help to achieve them.