Place visions and place-based approaches

This chapter contains 8 policy areas. These are listed below with a high level summary of what each policy sets out. Before completing our questionnaire ion this chapter, please read it in full.

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PV1: Brownfield first Opportunity Areas

This policy supports growth in what are called Brownfield First Opportunity Areas. These are areas within London’s existing urban area that have significant capacity to deliver homes and jobs. They need to be coordinated and planned pro-actively to ensure they are supported by good transport, design and infrastructure. Proposals are expected to integrate with surrounding communities and involve local people.

PV2: Central Activities Zone

This policy is about supporting the heart of central London—called the Central Activities Zone (CAZ)—which is London’s primary economic and cultural centre. Development should protect and grow strategic commercial, cultural and experiential uses. The policy highlights that housing can be carefully integrated in some areas where appropriate so that it does not undermine the core activities in the CAZ. This means different approaches apply in ‘Core’ CAZ and ‘Mixed’ CAZ areas. High quality design, the protection and enhancement of heritage, and the quality of public spaces are essential.

PV3: Town centres and high streets

This policy supports vibrant, mixed use town centres and high streets. The key elements are:

  • Development should support a diverse mix of shops, services, culture, community uses and housing and improve public spaces

  • Town centres are promoted as suitable locations for mixed use and housing led growth, including reuse of surplus commercial space

PV4: Strategic economic clusters and corridors

This policy supports the growth of important economic clusters and corridors which are outside central London and town centres. The key elements are:

  • Boroughs should identify these areas in local plans and support their development in well connected locations

  • New development should provide workspace suited to the needs of the businesses and sectors that make up each cluster

PV5: Industrial land supporting housing growth

This policy enables housing growth on some industrial land where it will not undermine important industrial functions. The key elements are:

  • Release of industrial land should be carefully planned and focused on locations that are well-connected by public transport

  • Boroughs should identify relevant areas, working with neighbouring authorities and the Mayor

  • Housing on industrial land that is not formally designated may be supported where it does not conflict with infrastructure or strategic needs

PV6: Metropolitan Open Land

This policy protects Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). This acts as a break in the urban landscape and provides Londoners with parks, nature reserves, open spaces and playing fields across the city. The key elements are:

  • Any changes to boundaries and any development should only occur in exceptional circumstances, where clear strategic benefits outweigh any harm

  • Boroughs should also look for opportunities to enhance access and quality of MOL

PV7: Sustainable development and enhancement of the Green Belt

This policy sets out how any release of Green Belt land should happen only in the most sustainable and well planned locations. The key elements are:

  • Where Green Belt land is identified for growth, development should be carefully master planned, make the best use possible of the land, be supported by the necessary infrastructure and deliver real improvements and access to green spaces and nature

  • New neighbourhoods must be mid-rise to limit the loss of Green Belt land and support access by public transport, walking and cycling

  • Development outside designated growth locations will not generally be supported and must not undermine the overall growth strategy

PV8: Strategic and local views including the London View Management Framework

This policy protects London’s most important views and settings of landmarks. Development must preserve or enhance views of key landmarks (such as St Paul’s Cathedral) and World Heritage Sites (the Palace of Westminster, Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and Kew Gardens).

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