"Metropolitan Open Land" or "MOL" is a term or designation used only within London. Land designated MOL is afforded the same level of protection as the
Metropolitan Green Belt
The Metropolitan Green Belt is a statutory green belt around London, England. It comprises parts of Greater London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey, parts of two of the three districts of Bedfordshire and a s ...
. Designation is intended to protect areas of landscape, recreation, nature conservation and scientific interest which are strategically important. Any alterations to the boundary of MOL should be undertaken by boroughs through the LDF process, in consultation with the
Mayor of London
The mayor of London is the chief executive of the Greater London Authority. The role was created in 2000 after the Greater London devolution referendum in 1998, and was the first directly elected mayor in the United Kingdom.
The current m ...
and adjoining authorities.
Detailed criteria for designation
In more detail, land designated as MOL should satisfy at least one of the following criteria:
*land that contributes to the physical structure of London by being clearly distinguishable from the built-up area
*land that includes open-air facilities, especially for leisure, recreation, sport, arts and cultural activities and tourism which serve the whole or significant parts of London
*land that contains features or landscapes of historic, recreational, nature conservation or habitat interest, of value at a metropolitan or national level
*land that forms part of a
Green Chain and meets one of the above criteria.
Role of Mayor of London
The
Mayor of London
The mayor of London is the chief executive of the Greater London Authority. The role was created in 2000 after the Greater London devolution referendum in 1998, and was the first directly elected mayor in the United Kingdom.
The current m ...
has formally stated that he will, and believes boroughs should, maintain the protection of Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) from inappropriate development. Any alterations to the boundary of MOL should be undertaken by boroughs through the DPD ("Development Plan Document") process, in consultation with the mayor and adjoining authorities.
References
{{reflist
Regional planning in London