Greater London Authority Act 1999, section 334

The spatial development strategy

Part VIII Planning

(1) The Mayor shall prepare and publish a document to be known as the “spatial development strategy”.

(2)The spatial development strategy must include a statement formulating the Mayor’s strategy for spatial development in Greater London.

(3)For the purposes of this Part, the Mayor’s strategy for spatial development includes his general policies in respect of the development and use of land in Greater London.

(4)The spatial development strategy must include statements dealing with the general spatial development aspects of—

(a)such of the other strategies prepared and published, or to be prepared and published, under the enactments mentioned in section 41(1) above as involve considerations of spatial development, and

(b)such of the Mayor’s other policies or proposals as involve such considerations,

whether or not the strategy, policy or proposal relates to the development or use of land.

(5)The spatial development strategy must deal only with matters which are of strategic importance to Greater London.

(6)In determining for the purposes of this Part whether a matter is of strategic importance to Greater London, it is immaterial whether or not the matter affects the whole area of Greater London.

(7)The spatial development strategy must contain such diagrams, illustrations or other descriptive or explanatory matter relating to its contents as may be prescribed by regulations under section 343 below.

(8)The spatial development strategy may make different provision for different cases or for different parts of Greater London.

Definitions used in section 334 2

Mayor

“Mayor” means Mayor of London (but see also section 85(3A) above) ;

Defined in s.424(1) · see it in the full Act
regulations

“regulations” means regulations made by the Secretary of State;

Defined in s.350(1) · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 334 5

McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd & Ors, R (on the application of) v Greater London Authority

[2018] EWHC 1202 (Admin) · 23 May 2018Limits

Interpreted as requiring the Mayor to produce a spatial development strategy, the London Plan. The court used the provision to frame whether the challenged guidance contained general policies dealing with matters of strategic importance. (see paras [7], [29]-[34]) Used to identify the spatial development strategy as including a statement of the Mayor’s spatial-development strategy for Greater London. (see para [7]) Used to identify the strategy’s inclusion of the Mayor’s general policies concerning development and use of land in Greater London. (see paras [7], [29]-[34]) Used to identify the limitation that the spatial development strategy must deal only with matters of strategic importance to Greater London. (see paras [7], [29]-[34])

London Borough of Islington & Ors v The Mayor of London

[2014] EWHC 751 (Admin) · 25 March 2014

Applies the duty to prepare a spatial development strategy for London. The London Plan was treated as the statutory strategic development plan within which the Mayor could adopt the disputed policy (see paras [25]; [27]).

Gopie, R (on the application of) v Mayor Of London & Ors

[2002] EWCA Civ 1186 · 24 June 2002Defines

Defines the Mayor’s responsibility to prepare a Spatial Development Strategy containing general policies for the development and use of land in Greater London. The provision establishes the statutory planning context for the Mayor’s functions. (see introductory discussion)

What each judgment says about section 334 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.