Viritopia’s New Guide Explores the Role of Living Walls Amidst Draft London Plan Consultation

The Draft London Plan, published in July 2026, raises the bar on green infrastructure across the capital. Policy GHR7 introduces an Urban Greening Factor target for industrial developments for the first time, alongside strengthened expectations for biodiversity, climate resilience, and alignment with the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and London Green Infrastructure Framework (LGIF).

Living walls are not currently mandated or uniformly specified across London's planning system. Delivery remains inconsistent across boroughs, reflecting differences in local policy, regulatory interpretation, and implementation. The Draft London Plan holds potential to close the gap between planning requirements and London’s target to reach net-zero by 2030. 

In response to London's evolving planning landscape, Viritopia has published the London Living Walls Guide 2026, a practical resource for planning officers, developers, architects, and local authorities. The guide covers:

• The barriers to living wall adoption
• The evidence base for living walls
• Practical steps for specifying schemes under the new framework

Read the guide to better understand the opportunities and practical considerations shaping living wall adoption.

Access the guide →