THE GREENS are preparing to launch a challenge to emergency housebuilding measures imposed by the Mayor of London, which would shrink developers’ affordable homes target to just 20 per cent.

Campaigners have warned that the move, which would take powers away from councils to force developers to commit to building more social housing, would be a “complete disaster”. Green councillors in the Town Hall are now supporting a legal challenge put together by several other boroughs, which claims the measures have been rushed through without the correct consultation with local authorities.

Cllr Benali Hamdache, who leads the Greens in Islington Town Hall, said: “This blunt 20 per cent cut across the city doesn’t make sense. Islington produces more than that because of our house values, why would we now let developers get away with less?” The Highbury councillor is calling on Labour councillors to support the campaign to fight the measures.

He said: “Una and Santiago were clear that they would do everything they could to challenge these proposals. This is an opportunity to deliver on that promise and join the judicial review with a show of support.

“The gauntlet we are setting down is let’s work together and deliver on what residents need and challenge the fact that the mayor hasn’t done this properly.”

Former deputy leader Santiago Bell-Bradford, who lost his seat in May, said last year that Labour councillors would fight for Islington to retain its 50 per cent affordable housing quota.

Cllr Bell Bradford, who the Tribune understands is now giving political advice to the Green mayor of Hackney, insisted: “We will put forward a robust challenge that Islington should stay the way it is. As things stand, we will still fight for 50 per cent.”

Leader Una O’Halloran refused to comment when contacted by the Tribune. She would not say whether she agreed with or rejected the Mayor’s slashing of the affordable housing quota.

The Green motion will be tabled at a full council meeting next month.