The Greater London Authority Bill was this week given the go ahead in the Queen’s Speech to increase the mayor of London’s planning powers.

Under the proposals, Ken Livingstone will be able to intervene in planning applications to further the London Plan’s objectives.

The mayor is expected to be allowed to request that boroughs demonstrate how a planning application accords with the London Plan and continue to direct them to refuse applications, and will also be given a greater role in drafting local development plans.

The British Property Federation welcomed the powers, but warned they must be used to reduce bureaucratic burdens and to speed up the planning system.