On 12th January 2010 a Petition of 15,000 signatures was delivered to the Office of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, asking him to fulfil the pledge made to the London Churches that Churches would be able to gain appropriate planning permission and premises in London.
Churches in London are frequently being denied appropriate planning permission to build and refurbish their church buildings, to cater for growing demand.
Under the previous mayor, Ken Livingstone, constructive dialogue took place to ensure that the needs of such churches were met. However, in the Mayor's Draft Replacement London Plan, these concerns were not addressed.
This prompted Tunji Adebayo, of TA Property Consultation, together with Christian Concern for our Nation, to organise the petition to Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, asking him to address "the needs of London’s diverse communities", either through "policy formulation in the emerging replacement London plan or a Supplementary Planning Guidance Note".
The petition was delivered at 3pm on Tuesday 12 January 2010 by a group of signatories, including Andrea Minichiello Williams and Ade Omooba, of Christian Concern For Our Nation.
Andrea Minichiello Williams commented: "This vibrant, growing community serves London well. It is vital they are given the freedom and the space to accomplish their work and ministry instead of having to overcome many difficult obstacles. These Churches demonstrate Christ’s love at work through evangelism and social action. I hope Boris Johnson will see this and accord to them the freedom they need to take on buildings and space so that their work can continue”.