Development Policies - Preferred Options
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May 2007 Development Policies - Preferred Options 1 May 2007 Development Policies - Preferred Options 2 May 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options Contents Contents 1 Introduction 2 1 Promoting a Quality Environment 2 A Better Townscape - By Design 2 Towards a Sustainable Brent, 2020 44 Environmental Protection 54 Enhancing Open Space and Biodiversity 65 2 Meeting Housing Needs 88 3 Connecting Places 106 4 A Strong Local Economy 136 Business, Industry and Warehousing 136 Town Centres and Shopping 140 Culture, Leisure and Tourism 165 5 Enabling Community Facilities 172 1 Glossary 1 May 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options Contents May 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 1. Introduction 1 May 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 1. Introduction Purpose of the Development Policies Preferred Options 1.1 This document has been produced by Brent Council as a basis for consultation on the second stage of preparing Brent’s new Local Development Framework (LDF). It builds on the earlier Issues & Options consultation stage in September 2005, taking account of views expressed then in identifying a preferred approach to the future development of the Borough. It also reflects, and builds upon, the Core Strategy Preferred Options which was the subject of public consultation in October- December 2006 What is a Local Development Framework? 1.2 The Local Development Framework will replace Brent's Unitary Development Plan 2004. The Council is required to prepare the LDF by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and it will provide a strategic planning framework for the Borough, guiding change to 2016 and beyond. When adopted, Brent's LDF, together with the London Plan, will form the statutory Development Plan for the Borough. Figure 1.1 Local Development Contents 1.3 The LDF will be made up of a number of documents. This includes this Development Policies document, as well as the Core Strategy and a further document identifying the preferred development options for particular sites called Site Specific Allocations. The Council will consult on the Development Policies commencing June 13th 2007 until July 25th 2007. The LDF will also include more detailed guidance in the form of Supplementary Planning Documents to replace existing Supplementary Planning Guidance. The documents that make up the Local Development Framework are illustrated in Figure 1. What are Development Policies? 1.4 This Development Plan Document sets out the detailed policies which will be used primarily for the determination of planning applications for development in the Borough. As with the Core Strategy, it is guided by sustainable development principles and must be subject to a sustainability appraisal. 2 May 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 1. Promoting a Quality Environment 1 May 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 1. Promoting a Quality Environment A Better Townscape - By Design Urban Design Quality 1.1 Urban design has been defined in various ways, but is essentially the practice of shaping the complex interactions between urban form and movement, between places and people, and between the built-environment and nature. It aims to influence the different aspects of the development process to deliver successful towns and cities that work well. The planning system has a key role in facilitating the urban design process, with greater expectations of a higher quality urban environment –especially as increasing attention is now also being paid towards environmental sustainability. The design of buildings and land use patterns have a crucial impact upon natural resources and ecological processes. The planning system, by requiring design that integrates with natural processes, using resources more efficiently, can play an important part in mitigating global climate change challenges. 1.2 The urban environment affects people in social, economic, psychological as well as physical ways, and there has been much concern expressed about the alienating nature of the modern built environment, in addition to its production and maintenance –its wasteful use of energy and resources and detrimental impact on the eco-system. The quality of much modern building is often seen as poor, using expensive, non-renewable materials, some of which adversely affect our health. Consequently, a 'good quality' environment is one that also supports healthy lifestyles and encourages within us a feeling of well being, civic pride, safety and confidence. Sustainability is thus an important dimension of urban design, (which has emerged as one way of bringing architects, engineers and planners together with the community, to find more user-friendly solutions to poor environmental conditions). Brent's Urban Character 1.3 The built-environment within the borough is of relatively recent history; from the 19th to 20th centuries. As is typical of much of London, there is a multi-centred structure from amalgamated villages. Main roads well-defined by densely developed frontages, link the main town centre districts to each other and the wider northwest London area. The North Circular Road, however, is a significant barrier between the more affluent northwest of the borough and the poorer southeast area, and also has less frontage-definition. 1.4 Brent's development reflects its accessibility from London. The British Rail lines and the Metropolitan Railway enabled suburban 'Metroland' development boosted by the British Empire Exhibition in Wembley Park in 1924/25. Much of the architecture of Brent reflects the styles of these times. As a result, buildings in Brent display a wide variety of local design characteristics. This variety has been added to by new cultural groups who have introduced new architectural styles. An example is the Swaminarayan temple in Neasden. The wide range of environmental conditions within the Borough, includes: Well-planned leafy suburbs; Dense 19th-century inner city housing; 1960's & early 1970's high-rise residential estates and office blocks; Two of London's largest industrial estates; Wembley Stadium & Park Royal; A number of district and local shopping centres of varying quality. 1.5 Improvements to the environment cannot be achieved by the Council's actions alone. Co-operation between the Council, design practitioners, local communities and local businesses is essential. Brent’s Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) has contributed to bringing together the interests of different sections of the community in the Community Plan. The policies in this chapter have been formulated to ensure that the spatial planning system contributes to the objectives of this Plan. The Council encourages community participation at all stages of the planning and design process through measures set out within its Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), and aims to raise awareness of design-quality issues in the community. 2 May 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 1. Promoting a Quality Environment Urban Design Objectives: 1.6 The Borough’s Core Strategy aims to substantially raise design standards and thereby, the quality of the urban environment in Brent. It is recognised that as development is an incremental process, higher design standards will need to be rigorously applied to all proposals for development within the borough. The detailed development objectives are: 1. Reinforcing the attractive qualities of Brent's built-environment, to establish positive images and identities, and thus, enhance the quality of life for all residents, workers and visitors; 2. Securing the highest standard of architectural and urban design for all development, ensuring sympathetic integration within their context and respecting principal views across the Borough; 3. Promoting much needed investment in Brent's built-environment, particularly for areas identified as most needing enhancement, to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of urban areas within the Borough; 4. Preserving, managing and enhancing the Borough's built heritage; 5. Raising local awareness of urban design issues, promoting appreciation of the built environment in Brent and working, in partnership with the community, to promote a sustainable, fully accessible and safe environment Urban Design Assessments 1.7 In order to properly assess proposals for development, it is important for adequate information to be produced to a professional standard. The scope of information required to demonstrate design quality will depend on the complexity of the proposal and whether it is at outline, full or detailed stage. All proposals for development must be accompanied by the appropriate, scaled and annotated drawings of the proposed development shown in its context, explained in SPG/SPD1 as updated on making a Planning Application. Significant, major or complex proposals should also be accompanied by three-dimensional (3D) representations such as a perspective drawing, a CAD presentation and/or a portable scaled model. 1.8 Applicants should be aware that separate permission may also be required under the Building Regulations. It is therefore important at the outset, to seek the advice of qualified architects, designers and engineers who are experienced in dealing with design and structural work. 'Off the shelf' designs and corporate styles, whether of commercial buildings or housing, which do not reflect the specific context of a place, will not be acceptable. Government Guidance requires Design & Access Statements, and the Council's Supplementary Design Guidance 4