Westminster City Council's new Retrofit First policy

Image: view towards Regent Street, London, in the City of Westminster

Westminster City Council has published its City Plan Partial Review, setting out strengthened planning policies on retrofitting, affordable housing, and identifying four new, large development sites, following three years of engagement with residents, businesses, developers and local stakeholders.

It says:

'At the centre of the review is Westminster’s new Retrofit First policy, placing the city at the forefront of local government action on climate change. The policy requires developers to fully explore all reasonable options for retrofitting and adapting existing buildings before seeking permission for demolition and redevelopment. It recognises that not all buildings can be retrofitted, and therefore takes a retrofit-first, not retrofit-only approach. 

'The urgency behind the new policy is clear: the built environment accounts for 90% of Westminster’s total CO₂ emissions, compared with around 40% for a typical local authority. 

'In the first half of 2025, the council's Sustainability Team tracked the carbon performance of 19 schemes which went through planning, collectively delivering over 143,000sqm of high-quality new and refurbished office, hotel and retail floorspace. Working with applicants closely, the council has achieved a 24% reduction in construction-related carbon emissions compared to the average emissions when the policy was published in 2023. This equals 27,500 tonnes of CO2 saved, the same as the annual energy usage of nearly 3,700 homes.

'In addition to its sustainability measures, the City Plan Partial Review introduces tougher requirements to deliver genuinely affordable homes. The affordable housing split in new developments will shift from 40% to 70% social rent, and from 60% to 30% intermediate homes. For the first time, sites proposing fewer than 10 homes will also be required to contribute to affordable housing delivery.

'The review also identifies four strategic sites with significant potential for mixed-use development: St Mary’s Hospital, Westbourne Park Bus Garage, land adjacent to Royal Oak, and Grosvenor Sidings. These allocations provide developers and landowners with clear planning guidance to unlock new homes, modern workspaces, improved public spaces, and a new, state-of-the-art St Mary’s Hospital.'