Planning Policy and Decisions

Local Plan FAQ

What is the role of the planning system?

The purpose of the planning system is to manage the use and development of land in the public interest. In carrying out this purpose, the system aims to balance the need for growth with the protection of natural and historic resources and quality of life.  The current planning framework is based upon a variety of central government Acts, regulations and guidance, intended to produce what is known as “the plan-led system”.  Its objectives are to ensure rational, speedy and consistent decisions, achieve greater certainty and secure public involvement in shaping future development.

What is the link between the planning policy and planning applications?

The plan-led system requires that all planning applications must be determined in accordance with the contents of the Development Plan for the area, unless what are known as “material considerations” indicate that a different view should be taken.

What is the Development Plan?

The Development Plan for the Legacy Corporation is currently made up of the London Plan (2011) and the Core Strategies and Area Action Plans of the London Boroughs of Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

As a whole, the Development Plan contains the overall land use and development strategy for the area and specific planning policies that will help to deliver the strategy, and provide a framework for decisions on planning applications. Alongside the National Planning Policy Framework, these are the key documents that are used by Development Management officers  during assessment, and the Planning Decisions Committee in determining planning proposals and applications.

On 1 October 2012, the Legacy Corporation became a local planning authority and will therefore be preparing a new Local Plan for the area.  When adopted, the Local Plan, with the London Plan, will form the new Development Plan for the area.

What is a Local Plan?

  • An outline of the key issues facing the area – often referred to as a ‘spatial portrait’.
  • A vision for how the area should look in 2030, with strategic level supporting objectives.
  • The strategic direction of future growth in the area, including the identification of strategic sites which are key to the delivery of the vision, and a suite of place-based policies which will describe how key locations will be expected to change over time.
  • A set of issues-based policies which will be used in the determination of planning applications, covering issues such as design and affordable housing requirements.
  • A delivery and monitoring strategy which will address implementation as well as the Legacy Corporation’s approach to managing risks and contingencies.

How will the Local Plan be prepared?

The Legacy Corporation’s Local Plan will be prepared in consultation with the community and a wide range of statutory bodies and other consultees with an interest in the area.  The Legacy Corporation has set out its intended approach to how it will involve the community in the preparation of the Local Plan in the determination of planning applications in a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

SCI: http://www.londonlegacy.co.uk/planning-policy-and-decisions/supporting-documents/

The Legacy Corporation’s Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the timetable for preparation of the Local Plan.

Download the LLDC Local Development Scheme (FINAL OCTOBER 2012)

What are the key stages in preparing the Local Plan?

The Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the key stages of plan preparation:

  • Early stakeholder engagement – October 2012 – August 2013
  • Consultation on a Draft Local Plan – Summer 2013
  • Publication of the Local Plan – November-December 2013
  • Submission to the Secretary of State – February 2014
  • Independent Examination – May-June 2014
  • Adoption – October 2014

How can I become involved in the preparation of the Local Plan?

If you would like to be consulted on the preparation of the Local Plan, please contact the Planning Policy Team.

Director of Planning Policy and Decisions
London Legacy Development Corporation
Planning Policy and Decisions Team
Level 10, 1 Stratford Place
Montfichet Road
London
E20 1EJ

Or email planningpolicy@londonlegacy.co.uk

How will I be kept informed about progress with the Local Plan?

The Legacy Corporation’s e- newsletter will keep you informed about the latest progress and will also detail how and when you can get involved.  In addition the website will continue to be updated as we progress through the process. Press releases will be issued to advertise each stage. Further information on the timetable and stages is set out in the Local Development Scheme.

What is the Regulation 18 Consultation?

This means a consultation in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.  This requires the Legacy Corporation to consult with the community about what a Local Plan for the area should include, and to take those representations into account.

The Legacy Corporation will formally start this Regulation 18 consultation on 12th November 2012 and it will run until autumn 2013 when the Local Plan is formally published prior to its submission to the Secretary of State.

The consultation will be undertaken in phases over the following year:

The Legacy Corporation will undertake informal ‘early stakeholder engagement’ 12 November – 31 December 2012. This will involve:

  • Information giving and awareness raising – publicity on the website, a press release, information in the bi-monthly LLDC e-newsletter, a leaflet drop to circa 6000 addresses in the MDC area and letters to more than 400 local community groups and organisations.
  • An invitation to the community to submit representations about what should be included in the Local Plan, which may be submitted using a questionnaire.
  • A ‘Call for Sites’
  • One to one meetings with key stakeholders such as the Environment Agency and Transport for London.
  • Consultation on the Draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) January – July 2013.  Development of options and consideration of alternatives.  This will Continued information giving and awareness raising, including publication of results from previous consultation, information on the website, information in the bi-monthly LLDC e-newsletter and articles appearing in the Borough magazines.Attendance at a number of community events and running a series of topic based seminars in the local area.
  • Detailed technical assessments of proposals and policies with key stakeholders and specialist consultants. One to one meetings with key stakeholders such as the Environment Agency and Transport for London.

Consultation on a draft Local Plan. August – September 2013.

  • Informal consultation (targeted at those who have previously shown an interest in the Local Plan) on a draft Local Plan.
  • Details of consultation to be confirmed.