London planning news, April 2019

Draft London Plan EiP update

As Week 8 of the draft London Plan’s Examination in Public (EiP) closes, a four-week break begins which will see hearing sessions resuming on 30 April.

Over the past month, the EiP sessions have covered a wide range of matters, from design, density and heritage, to industrial space, logistics and green belt.

At the EiP hearing session on design matters, concerns were raised over proposed Policies D1 and D2, as participants highlighted how these were vague and not specific to London, whilst many felt issues relating to design were best determined locally. It was also considered that the importance of Design Review was over-emphasised within the draft London Plan, whilst the GLA team stated that they were currently working on additional design guidance.

On the draft Plan’s heritage and culture policies, many felt that a wider, more comprehensive interpretation of heritage would be appropriate for London. The London Assembly Planning Committee called for the preparation of ‘Cultural Action Plans’ for all larger schemes delivering over 100 residential units. Furthermore, most participants believed extra controls were needed for London’s four World Heritage Sites, whilst the GLA stated it is planning to update the London View Management Framework SPG.

At the hearing session covering industrial land policies, most participants supported the draft Plan’s proposed protection of London’s industrial capacity. However, questions were raised as to whether the intensification policies, which require a plot ratio of 65%, were commercially viable and would not disincentive occupiers for whom a lower plot ratio is operationally critical. The GLA confirmed that the publication of further amendments to the industrial land policies, which would allow a more flexible approach to applying the 65% ratio, where exceptional circumstances require significant yard and servicing space.

Finally, the Mayor also published further suggested changes to Policy G3, which now clarifies that Metropolitan Open Land will be 'protected from inappropriate development in accordance with national planning policy tests that apply to the Green Belt.'

Lichfields is monitoring the draft London Plan EiP by attending several hearing sessions, and reporting on the main highlights. For further information, check the London Plan EiP blog series on Lichfields’ website.

 

The Mayor has published London’s first Cultural Infrastructure Plan, which is aimed at supporting local authorities, developers, businesses, community and cultural institutions in ensuring the future sustainability of London’s cultural sector.

The document sets out a seven-point action plan, pulling together research, policy, funding and other tools, and outlining how the Mayor plans to retain and support the creation of new cultural facilities across the Capital.

Accompanying the plan is an interactive Cultural Infrastructure Map and an online Cultural Infrastructure Toolbox. The map allows users to understand where cultural facilities are located, differentiating facilities by typology, and plotting these against other demographic, transport and planning data.

The Toolbox provides a central database of guidance and policy, as well as resources and advice, for those looking to create new cultural facilities, those working to protect venues or spaces at risk, as well as those looking for space, buildings or land.

Deputy Mayor for Culture, Justine Simmons, commented:

“Now thanks to this map, we have a live, fine grained picture of the city’s cultural assets, giving us for the first time, a snapshot of the true riches and clusters in the capital. From local facilities like arts centres, libraries, community centres and pubs, to LGBT+ venues and musical theatres”.

As part of the Government’s Spring Statement funding announcements, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond pledged £250m from the Housing Infrastructure Fund to support the redevelopment at Old Oak Common in West London.

The funding will be used to assemble land, provide infrastructure and new link roads, and to install utilities at Old Oak North. Overall, the redevelopment at Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area is expected to deliver 24,000 new homes and 55,000 jobs in Old Oak, while 1,500 new homes and 10,000 jobs will potentially be delivered on the adjoining Park Royal industrial estate.

The announcements were met with a lukewarm reaction from the Mayor:

“The new funding for Old Oak Common is good news, but it comes against the backdrop of funding for affordable housing in London still being less than half the amount it was in 2010.”