THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 117
4.3 Environment, Energy and Utilities
Chapter objectives • Improve the quality, functionality and accessibility of existing green spaces. Integrate more greenery into parts of the OA where possible. • Address flood risk, water use and wastewater infrastructure in a holistic and resilient way • Create a smart, integrated energy system that allows new developments to achieve net zero- carbon, and the opportunity for existing buildings to connect to a low-carbon heat network. • Improve air quality in the OA and reduce exposure to air pollution. Achieve an air quality positive approach. • Reduce waste, increase material re- use and recycling, and support the circular economy • Improve digital connectivity for local residents and businesses, and support the delivery of full-fibre, or the equivalent digital connectivity, THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 119
Green Infrastructure P4 4.3 Objective: Improve the quality, functionality and accessibility of existing green spaces. Integrate more greenery Thamesmead into parts of the OA, where possible. Ecological Area
Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area benefits from extensive areas of green Crossway Park space and a network of water bodies. These
assets provide services that contribute to Crossness Sewage the health and wellbeing of local people, Treatment Works mitigate the impacts of climate change and
help conserve and enhance biodiversity. Tump 53 Southmere As development takes place, it is crucial Gallions Park to protect and enhance these existing Hill assets, respect and improve the OA’s Birchmere unique landscape; and weave a coherent Park green infrastructure network into the built Veridion Park environment.
R i d g e w a y
Green infrastructure principles in this OA: • Improve existing green spaces and waterways by improving access to and through the network • Promote healthier living by ensuring local amenities and destinations are in Lesnes Abbey reach via sustainable transport modes. Wood • Ensure footpaths are well-lit and feel safe to encourage walking FIG 4.12 Existing open spaces and waterways in the OA • Strengthen and enhance existing Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) to improve ecological resilience • Tackle sources of pollution to improve • Lessen the adverse impacts of climate water quality and increase the use of change by improving flood management sustainable drainage capacity of existing waterway networks and by greening the public realm to • Reduce exposure to poor air quality by create shade and natural cooling. providing greener walking/cycling routes THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 119
Thamesmead Ecological Area
Crossway Park
Crossness Sewage Treatment Works
Tump 53 Southmere Gallions Park Hill
Birchmere Park
Veridion Park
R i d g e w a y
Lesnes Abbey Wood
EXISTING Not accessible/restricted access Thames Path Private access (eg. schools, leisure centres) Green Chain Walk Publicly accessible Ridgeway Water Green corridors Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) Crossness conservation area Recreational grounds / facility (eg. basketball court) Designated listed structures Potential contaminated land THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 121
Green Infrastructure: an integrated approach to active travel, ecological connections and flood risk P4 4.3 management
A Green Infrastructure approach recognises that the network of green and blue spaces, street trees, green roofs and other major Thamesmead Ecological assets such as natural or semi-natural Area drainage features must be planned, designed and managed in an integrated way. Crossway Key opportunities in the Thamesmead and Park Abbey Wood OA: 3 Crossness Sewage 1 Thamesmead Waterfront Treatment Works 1 2 Broadwater Dock Tump 53 3 Tripcock Park Southmere Gallions Park 4 Sports Club Thamesmead Hill Birchmere 5 New nature reserve at Crossway Park
6 Southmere Lake Veridion Park 7 Ridgeway 9 8 Abbey Way R i d g e w a y 9 Green transit avenue 2
New developments should improve existing natural assets and contribute to the green infrastructure network. This Lesnes Abbey includes: Wood • Reducing motor traffic from local streets and increasing planting to create boulevards and pocket parks FIG 4.13 Proposed improvements n the OA • Introducing green roofs and façades • Creating new areas of flood storage • Introducing reed beds and wild flowers Living in the Landscape to conserve and enhance wildlife and natural habitats, where appropriate Peabody is preparing a green and • Supporting and securing management blue infrastructure strategy which will of new and existing open spaces provide a roadmap for making long- • Ensuring new public spaces and routes term improvements to Thamesmead’s are well-lit and feel safe landscape. THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 121
Thamesmead Ecological Area
Crossway Park 5
Crossness Sewage Treatment Works 4
Tump 53 Southmere Gallions Park Hill
Birchmere 6 Park
Veridion Park
R i d g e w a y 7
8
Lesnes Abbey Wood
EXISTING PROPOSED Not accessible/restricted access Improvements/new green routes Private access (eg. schools, leisure centres) SINC improvements Publicly accessible Open space improvements Water Potential for urban greening Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 123
Flood risk and drainage P4 4.3
Objective: Address flood risk, water use In Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OA, and wastewater infrastructure in a holistic the Environment Agency and GLA are and resilient way supporting local authorities to develop Riverside Strategies. The development of There are big opportunities in the such an approach is considered particularly Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity important given the flood risk within the OA. Area to implement new, fully integrated These strategies should set out detailed water services infrastructure - such as requirements, restrictions and opportunities water supply, wastewater and flood risk for updating flood defences along the management - to support sustainable Thames. developments in the OA while providing safe, attractive waterfront destinations for Plans for future updates to defences should people and wildlife. be designed into waterfront development plans and local masterplans and incorporate Some of the key opportunities in the OA green infrastructure and placemaking. Even are to employ natural flood management with good flood defences there remains a methods that contribute to flood risk residual risk that those defences could fail. management, create recreational areas and It is therefore important that developments habitat, and reopen the Thames riverside in factor and design in flood resilience ways that manage flood risk while providing measures that mitigate this risk. a safe, attractive waterfront destination for people and wildlife. An Integrated Water Management Flood risk Strategy (IWMS) was prepared by Aecom The entire OA is in Flood Zone 2-3. This in April 2017. This study covers the means that without existing flood defences Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OA and or should the network of defences fail, identifies constraints to development due the area would be at high risk of flooding. to flooding, surface water drainage, water The OA experiences flood risks from supply and waste water infrastructure; and several sources. The full OA is at risk from includes opportunities to address them in tidal flooding from the Thames and fluvial flooding from the marsh dyke system. Parts a holistic way. The IWMS recommends a of the OA are also at risk from surface water feasibility study on the potential of using and ground water flooding. highly treated effluent from Crossness Wastewater Treatment Works to supply Thames Estuary 2100 Plan (Environment non-potable demands throughout the Agency, 2012) sets out an action plan for OA. A detailed IWMS is recommended to tidal flood risk management in Thamesmead determine the feasibility of this, identify and Abbey Wood. This plan identifies opportunities for tying drainage and water that development should improve flood reuse together; and develop an overall risk management, including floodplain water supply masterplan and delivery management and defences that enhance mechanisms. the waterfront environment. THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 123
FIG 4.14 Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OA is in Flood Zone 2-3
Areas benefiting from flood defences Flood defence Flood zone 3 Main waterways Flood zone 2 Open space Flood hot spots
FIG 4.15 Surface water flooding (source: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term- flood-risk/map) THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 125
Flood risk and drainage sustainable management of water and flood risk P4 4.3
Drainage improvements in the OA will be required over the next 30 years to support Development proposals should contribute the level of development proposed. These to water and flood risk management by: include sustainable drainage for control of • Minimising and mitigating flood risk in runoff, enlargement of drainage channels, ways that do not compromise good open spaces for flood storage and urban design, including incorporating improvements to the sewer network and flood resilience measures. pumping stations. • Creating new areas of publicly accessible open space that link to the Sustainable drainage system (SuDS) wider green infrastructure network and incorporate SuDS. A surface water management strategy • Maximising the use of SuDS within is recommended and this should be developments, prioritising rainwater developed using a SuDS treatment train harvesting and nature-based SuDS approach. The strategy should: • Employing natural flood management • Encourage developments to maximise methods that contribute to increasing opportunities for source control flood storage and creating recreational features, permeable surfacing, blue areas and habitat. roofs and green roofs. • Ensuring surface water run-off • Include rainwater harvesting, infiltration management is as close to its source as possible (e.g. rainwater harvesting, systems, living walls and bio-retention green roofs) and reducing discharge systems, where suitable. rates to greenfield runoff to minimise • Include streetscape SuDS features to surface water discharge to combined convey runoff from development plots sewers. and public realm areas to the ultimate • Being as water efficient as possible, discharge location. These features meeting the optional target within should be provided using blue-green the building regulations (105 litres per person per day) for residential infrastructure, such as rain gardens, developments and BREEAM Excellent swales and specially designed tree pits for non-residential as a minimum. and trenches. • Identifying and maximising • Reduce discharge to greenfield opportunities for rainwater, runoff rates. Remaining surface water greywater or wastewater reuse within discharge to existing canal and lake development sites. systems should be prioritised over • Ensuring developments take into sewage discharge, where sufficient account future flood defence capacity exists or can be created. improvement needs and maintenance access as part of waterfront development plans. THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 125
5 Sewage 2 treatment 1 works
4
FIG 4.16 Opportunities for flood risk and drainage improvements in the OA
EXISTING PROPOSED
Water Improved access to the Thames Open space River frontage and flood defence improvements Ridgeway/Southern Outfall Sewer Potential wetland locations Potential contaminated land Potential canal reconnection OA boundary Potential for streetscape SuDS
Key opportunities in the OA: Riverside developments The OA sits within the TE100 action zone 4. 1 Thamesmead Waterfront Flood risk management should be factored 2 Thamesmead Town Centre in to all developments, particularly riverside 3 Broadwater Dock developments. Land may have to be set aside for future flood defences that improve 4 Southmere the waterfront environment and provide 5 Crossway opportunities for public access. Considerations 6 Bus transit route of the retention of access for long-term maintenance and upgrades to the flood defences should be factored in. THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 127
Air Quality P4 4.3
Objective: Improve air quality in the OA Large developments should propose and reduce exposure to air pollution. methods of achieving an Air Quality Positive Achieve Air Quality Positive approach. Approach through new development. Considerations should be given to: The emerging London Plan sets out • Air Quality Focus Areas ambitions to improve London’s air quality, reduce public exposure to poor air quality Developments across the OA, in and minimise inequalities in air pollution particular those adjacent to Air Quality exposure. Developments must meet Focus Areas and in areas that have the Air Quality Neutral benchmark for been recorded to fail annual mean building emissions. The OA also provides objectives of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), opportunities to go further and use an Air should demonstrate how they seek to Quality Positive Approach. Further guidance improve local air quality and propose new is provided in Policy SI1 of the emerging methods of addressing this issue. London Plan. • Reducing exposure When planning for development, There are two GLA Air Quality Focus areas particular care should be given to the adjacent to the OA boundary. LB Bexley and location of priority services, such as RB Greenwich are also declared Air Quality schools and health centres, to reduce Management Areas (AQMA). the exposure of people to harmful pollution. Several junctions on major highways in • Construction, freight and servicing the OA have been recorded to fail annual 2 There should be a coordinated approach mean objectives on NO air pollution and to construction, freight and servicing have high concentrations of particulate across the lifespan of development matter. These are Pettman Crescent in the OA to reduce disruptive vehicle gyratory, Harrow Manorway and the movement, prevent congestion of roads junction of Western Way and Battery Road. and improve air quality. A Construction Large developments (eg. Thamesmead and Freight Strategy should be Waterfront, West Thamesmead/Plumstead) prepared to ensure an integrated and have the potential to improve local air quality coordinated approach to development. through effective design and integration with surrounding areas. • Energy strategy The strategy should support the development of a district heat network in the OA to contribute to improvements in air quality by reducing the area’s reliance on gas for heating and hot water. THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 127
FIG 4.17 Annual average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) across the OA as modelled by the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (2016). The legend below increases in increments of 3 μg m-3, the legal limit is 40 μg m-3
<16 μg m-3 >58 μg m-3
Air Quality Focus Areas Air Quality Monitoring Sites
Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OA THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 129
Energy and Utilities P4 4.3
Background studies A Development Infrastructure Funding Delivery Coordination Study (DIFS) for the Thamesmead and The successful delivery of smart, Abbey Wood area was conducted in 2016 integrated and sustainable by Peabody. The study considers the impact infrastructure will minimise disruption of 21,000 new homes in the Opportunity and mitigate the impacts of future Area. In parallel to this, LB Bexley growth and development by commissioned a DIFS in 2016 to support its supporting sustainable growth. Growth Strategy. Thamesmead and Abbey Wood In 2015, in partnership with the GLA, LB Opportunity Area spans across two Bexley developed an Energy Masterplan boroughs, and will require careful to investigate energy supply and demand, planning and coordination across and the potential for district heating in the the OA. Part 6 Delivery contains borough with a focus on the Thamesmead recommendations on the delivery and Abbey Wood area. In 2019, RB of key infrastructure and suggests Greenwich councillors passed a Climate opportunities to monitor the Emergency Motion. development of the OA. This includes:
These reports and ongoing studies in • Strategic oversight over utilities GLA Planning, Economics, Demographics, infrastructure across all growth Environment and Infrastructure and TfL scenarios have been considered to set out an initial • An Integrated Utilities Plan to understanding of the utilities required ensure a coordinated approach to and the associated costs of supporting a delivering utilities infrastructure sustainable approach to development in the • Upfront funding to procure OA. upgrades to the strategic network. A Delivery Team could explore Through these studies, discussions funding options for this as part of a have taken place with utility providers to Funding Study. ascertain the infrastructure requirements • Throughout construction, the for the OA. These have included meetings Delivery Team should coordinate with UK Power Networks (electricity and connections to strategic networks cabling), Thames Water (water, wastewater across construction sites to and sewerage), SGN (gas), RB Greenwich, minimise impact and disruption to LB Bexley and other stakeholders (heat local residents. networks). THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 129
Energy
Objective: Create a smart, integrated Heat networks energy system that allows new Heat networks - in areas where heat density developments to achieve net zero-carbon, is high - form an important part of the and the opportunity for existing buildings energy transition and will be an integral part to connect to a low-carbon heat network. of the smart integrated energy systems that London creates to achieve its ambition of The emerging London Plan requires new being zero carbon by 2050. developments to contribute towards London achieving its ambitious target, as In addition to supplying heat to buildings, set in the London Environment Strategy, to heat networks will need to play an active role become zero carbon by 2050. Policy SI2 of in decarbonising the energy system. This is the emerging London Plan sets out the need achieved by making use of secondary heat for new development to be net zero carbon sources, and through their ability to store and this should be achieved through the electrical energy in the form of heat they energy hierarchy - Be Lean, Be Clean, Be will provide flexibility and resilience to the Green, Be Seen. electricity networks as well as maximising the contribution that renewables can make Achieving this target will require a to the energy mix. combination of energy efficiency and the use of smart technologies to reduce and Heat networks also have an important manage the use of energy, followed by the strategic role in protecting the capacity of utilisation of local, clean and low carbon the electricity network in areas of high heat energy sources and networks to supply demand by meeting that heat demand. This the remaining energy demand. Post- is because heat networks, with thermal construction energy performance should be stores, can help minimise and manage the reported and monitored. demand for electricity across the day and reduce the impact that the electrification Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OA has of heat would have if otherwise met at an the potential to position itself as a leader individual building or unit level. in tackling the climate emergency - adapting to the impacts of climate change This preserves capacity and creates and pioneering an approach to place- resilience in the network, reducing or making that creates highly sustainable deferring the need for additional sub- communities. stations, that can be used to meet the increased demand expected from new development and the electrification of transport. THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 131
Energy P4 4.3
While there are no existing heat networks connected to the district heat network once in the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OA, built. Development should also maximise the GLA are working closely with LB Bexley opportunities for renewable energy by on an Energy Masterplan and resulting producing, storing and using renewable feasibility study to create a heat network in energy on-site. the area.
The existing Riverside Resource Recovery Net-zero carbon target (RRR) facility, an Energy from Waste (EfW) plant, will be the primary heat source and the heat network will supply the space New developments should optimise heating and hot water demand of the OA. energy efficient design and be net zero There are other sources of waste heat in the carbon. Policy SI2 of the emerging area that could be used in the heat network, London Plan sets out targets and including from Crossness sewage treatment requirements for major developments to plant and industrial operations in Belvedere. demonstrate how the net zero-carbon target can be met.
Heat demand in the OA can be met entirely An Energy Strategy should be developed by a heat network supplied with waste to support the development of a district heat from the existing RRR EfW. This was heat network in the OA. The strategy modelled as part of the Decentralised should contribute to improvements in air Energy Enabling Project (DEEP) funded quality by reducing the area’s reliance on Thamesmead and Belvedere Heat Network gas for space heating and hot water. Feasibility Study commissioned by LB Bexley and completed in August 2019. The first phase was completed in December 2018 and the second phase completed in August 2019.
Where connection to an existing heat network cannot be made immediately, major developments should investigate the feasibility of a site-wide heat network that is future-proofed so that it can be THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 131
Beckton Sewage Works
Barking Reach Power Station Beckton Barking Reach SewageBeckton E TO Works PowerBarking Station Reach Sewage Works Power Station Riverside Beckton Barking Reach Sewage Works Sewage Works Power Station E TO E TO Ma or ake E TO pumpingMa or ake station Crossness Riverside pumping station Ma or ake ps Sewage Works SewageRiverside Works RRR EfWSewage Works pumping station ps sub Phase Riverside Facility ps sub Sewage Works sub Crossness SewageCrossness Works Crossness Sewage Works A RRR EfW Facility Sewage Works Phase RRR EfW Facility Phase RRR EfW Facility Phase Phase
ERIDIO PAR
Phase Towards A Erith A A
sub Phase sub Phase sub ERIDIO EL EDERE Phase ERIDIO PAR PAR ERIDIO PAR Phase Phase Towards LES ESS Phase PLU STEAD A E A E Towards Erith OOD TowardsErith Southern Outfall Sewer Southern Outfall Sewer Erith Southern Outfall Sewer
FIG 4.18 Proposed district heating network in Belvedere EL EDERE (Source: Bexley Energy Masterplan, Scenario 2 - Extended EL EDERE Beldevere and Thamesmead) EL EDERE
PLU STEAD A E OOD LES ESS A E PLU STEAD A E OOD PLU STEAD A E LES ESS OOD A E LES ESS T A O A P E A E E E T E T A O A P RRR EfW Facility (River Resource Recovery E Ltd - Energy from Waste factory) T A O A E P O E T E E O E E T E E E E Phase 1 of proposed D district heating network O T O O P P O Future E phases of E proposed district heatingE network D ps sub T P E E E D P T P P sub P ps P P P sub Opportunity Area boundary ps sub P P P sub P Borough boundaries sub P Open space Water Major roads THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 133
Energy P4 4.3
Electricity Gas Peabody have secured a 2MVA connection The timing of development phases for the agreement for Southmere Village and OA mean that many of the developments Coralline Walk, and a 3MVA connection will be completed after 2025, which is to cover capacity for the development after the government’s proposed Future of Plumstead North. Beyond this, UKPN Homes Standard will be adopted. This is network upgrades may be required to serve expected to state that no new homes will be major developments in the OA. connected to the gas network.
The following upgrades may be required Adoption of this standard, along with to service growth of utility networks in the the limited spare capacity within the Opportunity Area: local electricity network, highlights the • A new primary substation at Eglington, importance of developing a low-carbon Belvedere or within Peabody land. and affordable heat network that will supply heating and hot water to the developments • Associated 132kV primary cable within the OA. network
There are several waste heat sources in New developments should prioritise energy the area, including Crossness sewage efficient design, connection to the heat treatment works and the Riverside Resource network and renewable energy production Recovery facility Energy from Waste plant, to reduce demand on the local and strategic that could not only meet the expected heat network. demand of the OA but could also support the expansion of the heat network into the The heat network will provide resilience surrounding area. and protect remaining capacity on the network by meeting the heating and hot There is enough capacity in existing gas water demand of the new developments as infrastructure in all areas, with the exception this will displace the alternative approach of North Thamesmead. This means that of the electrification of heat at an individual no further supply capacity will be needed building level. and gas can be used strategically in the OA to meet high value heat demand such as The heat network allows demand to be industrial uses or, if needed, for supporting much better managed as the thermal stores the local electricity network through use in allow heat to be produced by the large-scale gas-fired CHP plant connected to the heat heat pumps when demand on the electricity network. networks is low and then released to meet the heat demand as it occurs. THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 133
Water and Waste Water
Objective: Address flood risk, water use Waste water and wastewater infrastructure in a holistic Drainage infrastructure in the OA is split and resilient way into foul and surface water sewers, with the latter discharging into the lake and canal Water system. Water supply has been identified as one of the greatest challenges to development There are three trunk sewers in the OA; the in the area. To cater for the high growth high-level sewer, low level sewer and the scenario, water network reinforcements to outfall sewer. These sewers fall by gravity the existing network are required and would into the Crossness Sewer Treatment Works, have large capital costs associated with situated to the east of the OA. This system them. is currently at 50% capacity during dry weather flow events; and the main trunk A range of demand management measures sewer is understood to experience high and alternative water supply options are capacity during storm events. recommended and should be implemented to mitigate this risk. All developments Major developments should ensure should be constructed to the maximum allowance for reinforcement works to achievable standards in water efficiency and existing sewers and pumping stations include water metering and smart network and submit a pre-development enquiry technologies. to Thames Water to assess the capacity to accommodate any future increase in Wherever possible, properties should be loading. constructed with an alternative water supply provided through rainwater, greywater or wastewater recycling. Retrofit of existing developments to improve water efficiency and reduce potable water demand would help contribute to OA-wide demand management and deferral of capital costs. THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 135
Waste and Recycling P4 4.3
Objective: Reduce waste, increase collection stations which move waste and material re-use and recycling, and support recyclables towards a terminal building. the circular economy A Circular Economy Statement should be Circular economy principles should produced for large-scale developments to be incorporated into the design and set out opportunities for innovative building development of proposals within the design that avoids waste, supports high Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity recycling rates and helps London transition Area. This includes designing buildings to a circular economy, where materials, for adaptation, reconstruction and products and assets are kept at their deconstruction to extend the useful life highest value for as long as possible. The of buildings and to allow for the salvage Mayor of London will be providing further of components and materials for reuse or guidance in 2020. recycling.
Development proposals must also include adequate and easily accessible storage space and collection systems to support recycling and reuse that, as a minimum, support the separate collection of dry recyclables and food waste.
An Integrated Waste Management Facility is located west of the OA in RB Greenwich, which includes two safeguarded waste sites. Policy SI8 and S19 of the emerging London Plan state that existing waste management sites should be safeguarded and the capacity of existing waste sites should be optimised.
There are a number of options for waste and recycling sorting and collection in the OA, including underground vacuum collection systems. These systems provide a network of low-pressure underground pipelines that are connected to on-street and in-building THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 135
Digital Connectivity
Objective: Improve digital connectivity New developments should: for local residents and businesses, and support the delivery of full-fibre, or the 1. ensure that sufficient ducting space equivalent digital connectivity, across the for full fibre connectivity infrastructure OA. is provided to all end users within new developments, unless an affordable alternative 1GB/s-capable connection is Policy SI6 of the emerging London Plan made available to all end users states that full-fibre or the equivalent 2. meet expected demand for mobile digital connectivity should be supported, connectivity generated by the particularly in areas with gaps in development connectivity. The Mayor of London will be providing further guidance in 2020 to make 3. take appropriate measures to avoid London a smarter city. reducing mobile connectivity in surrounding areas; where that is not possible, any potential reduction would Thamesmead and Abbey Wood is currently require mitigation served by Openreach and Virgin Media, 4. support the effective use of rooftops and amongst other telecom providers with the public realm to accommodate well- fibre distribution networks. Openreach is designed and suitably located mobile the incumbent network operator in the OA, digital infrastructure however they do not provide market leading 1Gbps speeds.
There are a number of other Alternative Network Operators who could provide a Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connection to new development sites, for example Community Fibre and Hyperoptic.
Digital infrastructure is as important for the proper functioning of the OA as energy, FIG 4.19 Existing digital connectivity in the OA (source: water and waste services and should be https://maps.london.gov.uk/connectivity) treated with the same importance. Given the levels of development in the OA, it is Full fibre availability important these works are coordinated to Ultrafast Broadband availability minimise disruption. Superfast Broadband availability Borough boundary OAPF boundary THAMESMEAD & ABBEY WOOD OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK 137