Westminster's Central Activities Zone is one of the most important economic centres in the world. We will use planning policy to drive growth, attract investment, deliver homes and support the independent businesses that give our high streets their character.
Supporting Local Business
We will work with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and local business associations to champion independent businesses, lobby for relief on business rates and use our licensing, planning and enforcement powers to back a diverse high street.
Recognising International Centres
Westminster is home to some of the world’s most iconic retail and commercial destinations. We will continue to support the West End’s Oxford Street/Bond Street/Regent Street International Centre and the Knightsbridge International Centre. Also, we will recognise other areas of the West End like Piccadilly and Leicester Square as an International Centre. We will manage these International Centres through clear economic strategies and partnership working so they continue to support jobs and services while protecting residents’ quality of life.
Economic Growth and the Central Activity Zone (CAZ)
Planning policy will adopt a clear presumption in favour of sustainable commercial development. Westminster hosts globally significant cultural, retail, government and commercial functions. We will ensure the borough competes effectively with other global cities and with other London boroughs that are already winning investment.
A Pragmatic Approach to Obsolete Buildings
Too many vacant office buildings sit empty because the Council insists on extended marketing periods even where a building clearly has no realistic prospect of office use. Other local authorities adopt pragmatic approaches. We will do the same, accepting viability evidence and issuing clear planning guidance. Where obsolete buildings lend themselves to other uses, we will consider their conversion on a case-by-case basis.
Retrofit with Pragmatism
Westminster's dense urban fabric and historic building stock make retrofit the right starting point for most developments. We will continue to promote a retrofit-first approach, reflecting the character and constraints of our city. However, we will apply sustainability objectives proportionately. Where site constraints, heritage significance, functional obsolescence or viability evidence demonstrate that optimisation or partial redevelopment would deliver better long-term sustainability outcomes, we will support that pragmatic approach. Carbon-reduction ambitions should be pursued in a way that supports, rather than undermines, economic performance, workspace quality and long-term adaptability
Heritage and Listed Buildings
Westminster contains some of the most significant heritage assets in the country. We will encourage sensitive heritage retrofit by allowing a more permissive and flexible approach to interventions where public benefit can be clearly demonstrated. This includes enabling discreet modernisation, energy efficiency upgrades and accessibility improvements that allow historic buildings to remain viable, occupied and economically productive, supporting their long-term conservation.
Protecting and Growing Prime Workspace
We will set a high bar for maintaining and enhancing best-in-class office space and retail in core locations, ensuring Westminster remains competitive and development proposals deliver modern, flexible and sustainable workspace.
Mansard Developments
We will support well-designed mansard roof developments where existing mansards are already a defining feature of an area.
Streamlining Planning
We will review planning documentation to reduce duplication, speed up decisions and improve early engagement with applicants, residents and businesses.
Delivering More Homes
We will support residential delivery by improving viability, allowing greater flexibility in tenure and mix, more intermediate housing options and a pragmatic approach to change of use in secondary locations.
Employment and Skills from Development
We will adopt an imaginative, dynamic approach to employment contributions: bespoke programmes supporting local jobs, apprenticeships during construction and post-completion pathways for Westminster residents.
Communicating Planning Benefits
We will improve transparency on what development delivers: public realm improvements, social infrastructure and how Section 106, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and carbon offset funding is allocated and spent within Westminster. Neighbourhood CIL money is specifically set aside for local communities to decide through their local plan how the funds should be spent to improve their area. Labour Westminster has often ignored local opinion and spent the money on projects elsewhere. Local people deserve to see the tangible benefits of development in their area.
Cycle Parking: Evidence-Based
We will allow greater flexibility in meeting cycle parking standards where evidence shows low occupancy, freeing valuable floorspace while supporting sustainable transport.
Support Tax-Free Shopping for International Visitors
We will support for the return of a tax-free shopping scheme that incentivises international visitors to spend in the UK. London faces growing competition from other world cities for tourist spending and Westminster sits at the heart of that fight. We will back policies that bring more visitors to our shops, restaurants and attractions, supporting jobs and boosting the local economy.
Markets
Westminster Street markets and farmers markets are a valued part of Westminster's local economy. We will work with local communities to update the street market regulations to make them fit for the 21st century, so the markets serve the needs of residents, commuters and visitors alike.
Our pledge: Back local business. Attract investment. Unlock vacant buildings. Support heritage and proportionate retrofit. Streamline planning. Link development to local jobs.
Safe Streets. Clean City. Real Action.
Your vote on 7 May is the difference between a Labour Council that takes you for granted, or a Conservative Council that will deliver value for money, safe streets and a clean city.
Only the Conservatives can beat Labour in Westminster.
Vote Conservative on Thursday, 7 May.