London Borough of Southwark Unitary Development Plan Foreword
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
London Borough of Southwark Unitary Development Plan Foreword I am very pleased to introduce the Southwark Unitary Development Plan. It is an extremely important document and will form the basis of our development policies for the next decade. In recent years Development Plans have been given increased status by the Government in helping to reach planning decisions on all applications for development - for housing, office, industrial, shopping, community and other uses of the Borough's land and buildings. In addition Southwark's UDP provides a framework to guide investment and manage the best use of land and infrastructure, and its Proposals Map shows where changes are expected and what uses are preferred. By making sure the right sort of development goes in the right place, its policies aim to benefit communities and neighbourhoods most in need, provide jobs and improve the transport system, enhance our environment and protect our heritage, and provide equality and opportunity to all. The adoption of the UDP on 19 July 1995 was the culmination of an extensive period of plan preparation begun by the Council in 1989. I am very grateful to everyone who took part in the plan preparation process - commenting on the Consultation Draft from March to November 1990, objecting to or supporting the Deposit Draft between July and September 1991, taking part in the Public enquiry held between June and August 1992 and responding to the Proposed Modifications over the period July to September 1994. I am confident that this extensive exercise in public consultation has helped us to produce a development plan with the long-term vision essential to guide and control development in Southwark through to the twenty-first century. Councillor Dermot McInerney Chair Planning & Traffic Management Sub-Committee Introduction Chapter 1 - Strategic planning guidance and government policy PART ONE Strategic Planning Guidance for London 1.1 In 1989 the Secretary of State for the Environment issued Regional Planning Guidance: Strategic Guidance for London (RPG3). This provides a framework for the preparation of Unitary Development Plans by London Boroughs. 1.2 The objectives of Strategic Guidance to which Local Planning Authorities should have regard in preparing their plans are to: • foster economic growth bearing in mind the importance for the national economy of London's continuing prosperity, • contribute to revitalising the older urban areas, • facilitate the development of transport systems which are safe, efficient and have proper respect for the environment, • maintain the vitality and character of established town centres, • sustain and improve the amenity of residential districts, • allow for a wide range of housing provision, • give high priority to the environment, maintain the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land, preserve fine views, conservation areas, surrounding countryside and the natural heritage. 1.3 Guidance says that London Boroughs should adopt a positive, flexible and realistic approach to business development throughout London, and should identify well-serviced, accessible sites for job-creating development. It advocates policies aimed at improving the attractiveness of East London to redress the economic imbalance with West London. The accommodation needs of small and growing businesses should be addressed. Used correctly, planning agreements can assist the best use of land and a properly planned environment. 1.4 On transport, the Government's approach is to provide alternative routes for through traffic around London; ensure London is properly linked to national and international transport networks; to make the best possible use of existing roads especially trunk roads and designated roads; to tackle congestion through traffic management and parking controls and improve conditions where transport problems are severe; and to promote safe, efficient and attractive public transport. 1.5 Guidance considers provision should be made for 260,000 additional dwellings in London between 1987 and 2001, including 6,000 within Southwark. Planning policies must provide for general housing needs and market demand, together with allowance for special needs housing. The importance of providing housing for lower and middle income households is recognised. UDPs need to contain policies for land supply, conversions and smaller dwellings. Guidance stresses the importance of protecting the environment of established residential areas. UDPs may include a general presumption against loss of housing, provided reasonable provision for business development is demonstrated. 1.6 Guidance suggests there is scope for "Green Chains" linking spaces across borough boundaries. It highlights the need to protect other open spaces, important views, areas of nature conservation importance and archaeological sites. Historic buildings and areas of distinctive architectural character and historic interest should be identified and conserved. 1.7 Existing town centres should continue to be the main focus for the provision of shopping facilities, the promotion of which should be aided by refurbishment and pedestrianisation. In considering major retail proposals account may be taken of the cumulative effect of other similar proposals and the effect on the vitality and viability of nearby town centres. 1.8 A positive approach to hotel development and mixed developments with tourism and leisure facilities should be followed in areas of Southwark with reasonable access to the Waterloo Channel Tunnel terminal. 1.9 Boroughs should give particular attention to the character of Thames-side developments and their effects on views and skylines. The value of the Thames and its shoreline for wildlife should be recognised. Public access along the River Thames should be maintained and improved, including the Thames Path, and account should be taken of the needs of commercial, recreational and transport uses of the River. Race Relations Act and Sex Discrimination Act 1.10 The Council, like every other local authority, is under statutory obligations, imposed by the Race Relations Act and the Sex Discrimination Act. The planning function in general, and this UDP in particular, can play an important role by facilitating proper provision for the needs of a multi-cultural area and addressing the specific needs of women, who form a majority of the population. 1.11 Section 71 of the Race Relations Act 1976 requires authorities "to make arrangements with a view to securing that their various functions are carried out with due regard to the need: (a) to eliminate unlawful discrimination, (b) to promote equality of opportunity, and good race relations between persons of different racial groups." 1.12 Section 29 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 applies to the services of any profession or trade, or any local or public authority in respect of goods, facilities, or services to the public or a section of the public, to discriminate against a woman who seeks to obtain or use those goods, facilities or services - (a) by refusing or deliberately omitting to provide her with any of them or, (b) by refusing or deliberately omitting to provide her with goods, facilities or services of the like quality, in the like manner and on the like terms as are normal in this case in relation to male members of the public or (where she belongs to a section of the public) to male members of that section." LPAC STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVICE FOR LONDON 1.13 In October 1988 the London Boroughs, through the London Planning Advisory Committee (LPAC), issued and sent to the Secretary of State the document "Strategic Planning Advice for London", which this Council has formally adopted. (LPAC recently issued their updated Strategic Planning Advice for London in April 1994 but this will not be formally adopted until the Government's revised Strategic Guidance is issued in 1996). It contains the borough's collective view of the planning context for UDP production, together with a "Fourfold Vision" of how London should develop through the 1990s LPAC's "Vision" for London 1.14 LPAC's "Fourfold Vision" for London is as follows: • London as a Civilised City offering a high Quality of Environment for all Londoners. • London as a World Centre of International Trade and Business. • London as a City of Opportunities for All. • London as a City of Stable and Secure Residential Neighbourhoods, capable of sustained community development. LPAC's Objectives for London 1.15 LPAC has proposed the following objectives for London: (a) HOUSING: to increase the quantity of new dwellings; to improve the environmental quality of existing dwellings; to give increased emphasis to the provision of satisfactory housing at affordable prices, particularly for those on low incomes. (b) ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT: to support and accommodate the economic and employment growth of all business and industrial sectors; to give an increased emphasis to the regeneration of Inner and East London; to ensure that the benefits of economic prosperity are shared by all Londoners, particularly for those with difficulties in gaining access to jobs. (c) TRANSPORT: to improve substantially public transport capacity and accessibility, particularly to and within the growing employment areas of Central London and the Docklands; to restrain road traffic at the busiest places and the busiest times; to make selective road and public transport access improvements to Strategic Centres and Growth Points, particularly in Inner and East London. (d) SHOPPING AND TOWN CENTRES: to develop