Land-use planning and place-making
Spatial planning frameworks developed by regional government, local government and public bodies shape the place in which we live to a significant extent. By providing a unique ‘natural signature’ for parts of our city, London’s diverse natural environment and distinctive places and spaces can play a major part in shaping or establishing a sense of place.
Place-making is an approach to building communities which draws on the unique identity of local places. The majority of London’s planning policy frameworks recognise the role of the natural environment in creating a sense of place and are beginning to incorporate natural environment benefits as positive factors for economic and social wellbeing.
From analysis at a city-wide scale, London’s natural environment is faring relatively well. There has been no significant loss in the amount of green belt or land of nature conservation value in recent years. However, this broad-brush analysis may mask more subtle changes, particularly at the local level, which may have significant impact on the quality and character of the natural environment in the neighbourhoods in which we live.
Our engagement with spatial planning and place-making aims both to safeguard existing natural assets through providing advice on the legal frameworks and planning policy
that affords protection to the natural environment, and to enhance the natural environment through demonstrating its value to meeting social, economic and wider environmental objectives.
Current Projects and Initiatives
| London Plan | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | The London Plan is the main spatial planning document for London, providing a framework for the broad location, nature, quantum and principles of development over the next 20-25 years. The London Plan has primacy over the boroughs’ own local spatial planning documents which must be ‘in conformity’ with it. Alongside it are a number of Mayoral Strategies, satellite documents which deal with specific thematic issues such as air quality, waste, water, climate change and biodiversity. The GLA has a statutory duty to produce both the London Plan and its associated strategies and review them on a regular basis. |
| Latest update/progress | The London Plan first came into being in 2004 and has been altered twice, the latest being in 2008. As a result of Boris Johnson’s election as Mayor in that same year it was decided that the London Plan would be completely reviewed. Revisions of both the Transport Strategy and Economic Development Strategy have come forward as part of this reviewed. Natural England has been involved in a range of pre-consultation discussions and as a result have been able to help the GLA develop new policies on green infrastructure and landscape character and remove any reference to the Mayor’s support for an airport in the Thames Estuary. The London Plan will be subject to an Examination in Public during summer 2010. |
| Supporting documents from NE | |
| Further information/web-links | London Plan |
| Local Development Frameworks and Development Control | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | Natural England is a statutory consultee within the land-use planning system which means that local planning authorities must consult us on developments of a certain size/criteria and all spatial planning documents that form part of the their Local Development Framework (LDF). Land-use planning that properly considers the value of the natural environment through the decisions it takes, is critical to the quality of the life of Londoners and we are looking to engage in the most effective and resource-efficient way to ensure that this is understood and acted upon across the Capital. |
| Latest update/progress | Natural England has been looking at more imaginative ways to engage with the land-use planning system that go beyond written responses to existing applications, towards more proactive engagement with developers, planners, place-makers and local strategic partnerships, using face-to-face advocacy. We have so far met with the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Barnet to talk them about the benefits of planning for the natural environment through green infrastructure. It is hoped that this engagement will add more momentum and clarity to the growing green infrastructure debate and lead us to being involved in a range of productive projects and partnerships. More are planned during 2010. |
| Supporting documents from NE | A CD, ‘ Natural Environment, a resource for London planners’ is available on request from futurelondon@naturalengland.org.uk. The documents on the CD can be downloaded separately at the links given below:
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| Contacts for further information/links to relevant web-sites | Initiatives Biodiversity by Design Design for Biodiversity Right Trees for a Changing Climate Sustainable Cities Trees and Design Action Group
Forestry Commission - London
London Wildlife Trust UK Green Buildings Council |
| Olympic Park | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | London 2012, as well as hosting the two biggest sporting events in the world, will deliver a 102ha park (the biggest urban park in Europe for 150 years) and kick-start one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects providing much needed investment to areas of the East End that have long been deprived and neglected. This provides a key opportunity for to engage and promote the importance of a healthy natural environment as part of this regeneration. |
| Latest update/progress | Natural England is working closely with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and has been a driving force behind the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) which commits to the delivery of 45ha of natural habitats. The first tree on site was planted by the Queen in November and site is gearing up to start the transformation from ‘brown to green’ next spring. As well as advising the on the design of the park, we have began engaging with the recently formed Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) who are responsible for and the emerging regeneration plans that will come forward after the games have finished. We are pushing hard to ensure that the delivery of quality green infrastructure is a central component in the development of these new and sustainable communities and our input has been well received to date. |
| Supporting documents from NE | |
| Further information/web links | Legacy Now website Future Olympic Park |
