June 2007 Development Policies - Preferred Options June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options Foreword Foreword As part of the ongoing process of replacing the Unitary Development Plan with the new Local Development Framework (LDF), this document has been produced which includes the Council’s Development Policies preferred options. These are the detailed planning policies which are necessary for determining planning applications in the Borough. It is accompanied for public consultation by a Site Specific Allocations document which sets out the Council’s preferred options for the development of individual sites. Both of these documents build on and reflect Brent’s draft Core Strategy which was placed on public consultation towards the end of 2006 and which aimed to regenerate run-down areas whilst meeting the needs of local people and protecting the best features of the Borough. At Brent we are committed to providing a high quality and responsive Planning Service. This includes full community involvement in the preparation of important development plan documents which contribute to delivering the aims and objectives of Brent’s Community Strategy. I hope you will take this opportunity to participate in the process of drawing up the new plan. If we are to shape the Borough the way you want to see it then we need to hear from you. Please tell us what you think. Cllr Irwin Van Colle Lead Member for Environment, Planning & Culture i June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options Foreword HOW TO GIVE YOUR VIEWS The Preferred Options document for the Development Policies is published for consultation and you are invited to respond to us with your comments. Further copies of this document can be downloaded from the Brent Council website at www.brent.gov.uk/planning.nsf or by telephoning 020 8937 5230, or fax 020 8937 5207. Make your comments by the following ways: Online via the interactive web version of this document at www.brent.gov.uk/planning.nsf By email to [email protected] In writing addressed to: Policy and Research Team The Planning Service London Borough of Brent Brent House 349 High Road Wembley, Middlesex HA9 6BZ Please reference your comments to the relevant policy or paragraph of the document. All comments must be received by 5pm Monday 30th July 2007. Any representations made in relation to this document will be made available to the public. For any further information regarding this document please contact the Planning Service on the address or telephone number provided above. ii June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options Contents Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Promoting a Quality Environment 6 2.1 A Better Townscape - By Design 6 2.2 Towards a Sustainable Brent, 2020 39 2.3 Environmental Protection 50 2.4 Enhancing Open Space and Biodiversity 62 2.5 Promoting a Quality Environment Appendix 80 3 Meeting Housing Needs 98 4 Connecting Places 118 4.1 Connecting Places Appendix 129 5 A Strong Local Economy 144 5.1 Business, Industry and Warehousing 144 5.2 Town Centres and Shopping 149 5.3 Culture, Sport and Tourism 164 5.4 A Strong Local Economy Appendix 171 6 Enabling Community Facilities 182 7 Monitoring and Implementation 188 Glossary 205 June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options Contents June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 1. Introduction June 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 18th 2007 until July 30th 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 1.1 ‘Local Development Contents’. What are Development Policies? 1.4 This Development Plan Document sets out the Council's preferred options for 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. In building upon and reflecting the Core Strategy, the document follows a similar structure. The policy preferred options are set out on a topic basis and relate to the objectives and strategic policies included in the Core Strategy. Chapter 7 ‘Monitoring and Implementation’ shows the relationship between the objectives and policies and includes a set of indicators by which progress towards meeting the objectives is to be assessed. 2 June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 1. Introduction 1.5 The Development Policies not only reflect the Core Strategy, and consequently national planning policy, but also have to be in general conformity with the London Plan, the Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London. Currently there are proposals to alter the London Plan and these have been taken into account in drawing up the Development Policies. The London Plan also gives rise to the need for policies which reflect regional objectives at the local level. 1.6 At this stage the proposed policies are the Council's preferred options and are shown in the lilac coloured boxes. The sustainability appraisal has been fundamental to the process of coming up with the preferred options by assessing these against any realistic alternative options. The possible alternative options are summarised in the green boxes with a brief explanation as to why the alternative option has not been selected. The Council would like to know what you think about the preferred options, e.g. whether they are supported or whether you think that there an alternative approach is preferable. 3 June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 1. Introduction 4 June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 2. Promoting a Quality Environment June 2007 | Development Policies - Preferred Options 2. Promoting a Quality Environment 2.1 A Better Townscape - By Design Urban Design Quality 2.1.1 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. 2.1.2 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 2.1.3 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. 2.1.4 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.