Nearly 100 councillors in the capital work for property companies or lobbying and communications consultancies involved in planning, according to declarations of interest made by elected representatives. A total of 48 others either own or work for property companies. Just over 100 councillors received hospitality from property companies including lunches and dinners at top Mayfair restaurants, tickets to Premier League football matches, seats at Proms concerts and bottles of fine wine. “These networks have the capacity to help property companies default on their responsibility to build affordable housing,” he said. In Wandsworth, where 17 councillors declared interests or entertainment with property companies, 19% of new homes built between 2013 and 2016 were affordable.

Source: The Guardian April 29, 2018 21:00 UTC