www.bexley.gov.uk Draft Local Plan Proposed Submission Document Regulation 19 Stage May 2021 Bexley Draft Local Plan The purpose of this document This document is the Draft Local Plan, as proposed to be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. The Council will seek to deliver the principles of sustainable development through the final, adopted Bexley Local Plan and the development management process. The Development Plan for the area, which includes the Bexley Local Plan and the Mayor’s London Plan, should be read in its entirety. Planning guidance produced by Government, the Mayor of London, and by the Council expands on Development Plan policies and has material weight when taking planning decisions. The London Plan, as the spatial development strategy for London, provides the strategic framework. It does not however preclude boroughs from bringing forward policies relevant to their areas where locally specific circumstances and evidence suggests this would not undermine the objectives of the London Plan and where such an approach can be considered to be in general conformity with the London Plan. The Local Plan does this. It is also silent where the London Plan policy does not require a local approach. The London Plan runs from 2019 to 2041, and the Local Plan from 2021 to 2038. Longer term London Plan objectives may fall beyond the timeframe of the Local Plan although the key objective of sustainable development underpins both documents. [Please note that all references to the London Plan in this Draft Local Plan are for the new London Plan that came into effect on 2 March 2021] The Local Plan contains strategic, non-strategic and site allocation (for residential and residential-led mixed-use development) polices along with supporting text, which take account of and are supported by: • legal requirements related to the preparation of local plans including the duty to cooperate; • Government planning policy and guidance (without seeking to repeat these) • London Plan policy and guidance (without seeking to repeat these); • integrated impact (IIA) and habitats regulations (HRA) assessments of the Local Plan; • a whole Plan viability assessment; and, • a proportionate evidence base (including evidence underpinning the London Plan), in the form of plans and strategies, studies, reports, technical papers and assessments. Reviews at least every five years are a legal requirement for all local plans. The Council’s review of its Local Plan began in 2017. This Local Plan is intended to replace, in full, the Bexley Core Strategy and remaining extant policies of the Bexley Unitary Development Plan and Proposals Map. The Local Plan has been shaped by effective engagement with residents, businesses, local groups and statutory consultees in line with the Bexley Statement of Community Involvement. The Local Plan has taken account of comments received during the consultation process, and the evidence justifies the approaches taken in the policies and provides the direction for policies to be implemented. Local Plan strategic policies are prefixed ‘SP,’ non-strategic, development management policies prefixed ‘DP,’ and site allocation policies prefixed ‘SA.’ The first two policy types are set out within the topic-based chapters in Part 1 of the Local Plan and the third policy type set out within the site allocations for residential, or residential-led mixed-use development in Part 2 of the Local Plan. The site allocations are area specific and prefixed by their sustainable development location (e.g., Bexleyheath sites are prefixed BXH). The site allocations are not strategic allocations. Annexes set out indicators for monitoring local plan policies and a glossary of terms and abbreviations (after Part 1), and a detailed local plan housing trajectory (after Part 2). Land-use designations are set out on the submission policies map. The Local Plan is accompanied by an Infrastructure Delivery Plan. 2 Bexley Draft Local Plan Contents PART 1: STRATEGIC AND NON-STRATEGIC POLICIES ................................................................................................... 6 1. Bexley’s growth: delivering sustainable communities ................................................................................................... 6 Setting the context: Bexley’s growth narrative ............................................................................................................... 6 Local plan vision: growth that benefits all ......................................................................................................................... 6 Spatial objectives for the Local Plan ................................................................................................................................... 8 SP1: Achieving sustainable development – the spatial strategy .......................................................................... 9 Key spatial diagram for Bexley ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Local Plan housing trajectory ............................................................................................................................................. 13 2. Bexley’s homes: promoting mixed and balanced communities................................................................................ 15 SP2: Meeting Bexley’s housing requirements ......................................................................................................... 15 Local Plan housing mix .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 DP1: Providing a supply of housing ............................................................................................................................. 18 DP2: Residential development on backland and infill sites ................................................................................ 21 DP3: Providing housing for older people .................................................................................................................. 23 DP4: Gypsy and traveller accommodation ............................................................................................................... 24 DP5: Houses in multiple occupation and live/work units .................................................................................... 25 DP6: Loss of existing housing ........................................................................................................................................ 26 3. Bexley’s economy: strengthening our prosperity ......................................................................................................... 28 SP3: Employment growth, innovation and enterprise .......................................................................................... 28 DP7: Appropriate uses within designated industrial areas................................................................................. 30 Bexley’s designated industrial land .................................................................................................................................. 31 DP8: Telecommunications and digital infrastructure ........................................................................................... 35 SP4: Supporting successful town centres ................................................................................................................. 36 DP9: Development within town centres ................................................................................................................... 38 DP10: Neighbourhood centres and small parades ................................................................................................ 41 Neighbourhood centres and small parades of shops ................................................................................................. 42 4. Bexley’s character: reflecting our diversity and heritage through high-quality design .................................. 45 SP5: Placemaking through good design ..................................................................................................................... 45 DP11: Achieving high-quality design .......................................................................................................................... 46 DP12: Tall buildings and building heights .................................................................................................................. 49 DP13: Protecting local views ......................................................................................................................................... 52 SP6: Managing Bexley’s heritage assets .................................................................................................................... 53 DP14: Development affecting a heritage asset ...................................................................................................... 55 5. Bexley’s wellbeing: providing community facilities and enhancing our environment ..................................... 59 SP7: Social and community services and facilities ................................................................................................. 60 3 Bexley Draft Local Plan Types of social and community infrastructure ............................................................................................................