Metropolitan open land

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Metropolitan open land (MOL) is a town planning designation used only within London, that is intended to protect strategically important areas of landscape, recreation, nature conservation and scientific interest. Land designated MOL is afforded the same level of protection from development as the Metropolitan Green Belt.

Contents

History

Metropolitan open land is a designation that was introduced by the 1976 Greater London Development Plan as areas of open land that are of significance for Greater London as a whole. [1] The designation only applies to Greater London. [2]

Examples

Some of the largest examples: [3]

Criteria for designation

Policy G3 of the 2021 London Plan states that land designated as MOL should satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

  1. It contributes to the physical structure of London by being clearly distinguishable from the built-up area
  2. It includes open air facilities, especially for leisure, recreation, sport, the arts and cultural activities, which serve either the whole or significant parts of London
  3. It contains features or landscapes (historic, recreational, biodiverse) of either national or metropolitan value
  4. It forms part of a strategic corridor, node or a link in the network of green infrastructure and meets one of the above criteria. [4]

Alterations to boundaries

Policy G3 of the 2021 London Plan states that any alterations to the boundary of MOL should be undertaken through the local plan process, in consultation with the Mayor of London and adjoining boroughs. MOL boundaries should only be changed in exceptional circumstances. [4]

Role of Mayor of London

The Mayor of London has formally stated that he will, and believes boroughs should, maintain the protection of Metropolitan Open Land from inappropriate development. Any alterations to the boundary of MOL should be undertaken by boroughs through the DPD ("Development Plan Document") process, in consultation with the mayor and adjoining authorities. [5]

References

  1. ↑ Butterworth, Steven. "Optimising Housing Delivery and London's MOL". Lichfields. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  2. ↑ "Question No. PQ0059-08". London Borough of Croydon. p. 6. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  3. ↑ "Planning Data Map". Greater London Authority. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  4. 1 2 Mayor of London. "The London Plan" (PDF). Greater London Authority. pp. 316–318. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "Local Plans". Planning Portal. Planning Inspectorate. 7 December 2023.

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