A Citizens' Jury on London's Green Belt

London First, the capital’s leading business group, commissioned Community Research to convene a Citizens’ Jury comprising 12 Londoners, broadly representing London’s demographics, to answer the question: “Should current Green Belt restrictions be reviewed to help tackle London’s housing crisis?”

The Jury spent 1½ says hearing evidence from expert witnesses on both sides of the debate including: Steve O’Connell, Conservative London Assembly member for Croydon and Sutton; Paul Miner, Head of Strategic Plans and Devolution from Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE); Barney Stringer, Director of the planning and development consultancy Quod; and Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden.

Delivering their verdict, the Jury said: “The majority was for [reviewing Green Belt restrictions] and we only had one against. We came to that decision as a group as we realised that there is a terrible crisis for housing in London and that there is a big need for affordable and social housing for the people that live in London.”

To find out more about the process, the verdict and the Jury’s rationale you can check out our full report and a video summary here.