Jules Pipe takes up role next month
Hackney mayor Jules Pipe has been named as London mayor Sadiq Khan鈥檚 deputy mayor for planning.
Pipe was Hackney鈥檚 first directly elected mayor when he was appointed in 2002 but he has recently been best known for his savage criticism of the Bishopsgate Goodsyard scheme in Shoreditch.
He has been a high-profile opponent of the mixed-use development in east London and began a campaign to stop it last year which has seen the council take out ads warning about its impact and encouraging locals to tell then London mayor Boris Johnson what they thought of the development.
Last year Pipe said the flats at Bishopsgate were 鈥渨ell beyond the reach of ordinary Londoners鈥� adding: 鈥淟uxury accommodation does nothing to help London鈥檚 housing crisis.鈥�
Pipe鈥檚 new brief includes major regeneration projects across the capital, helping to revise the London Plan and working with James Murray, deputy mayor for housing and another high-profile thorn in the side of a controversial redevelopment, the Mount Pleasant scheme in north London, to tackle the capital鈥檚 housing shortage.
Speaking about his new role Pipe said: 鈥淚 am delighted to be working with Sadiq on his ambitious plans to build prosperity, whilst ensuring our city is affordable for all Londoners.
鈥淚t is vital we use all the levers of City Hall to pursue a vision for the capital that delivers all its key needs, including a much needed increase in housing and that development is planned to provide the widest benefit.鈥�
Pipe鈥檚 remit will also include regeneration and skills and will see him take up the role next month when he steps down from his role at Hackney.
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