Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which sought comments on the proposed draft policies for the new Local Plan prior to the consideration of the full draft Local Plan by the grand Committee in Spring 2018.

Amendments/suggestions to the document were made as follows - 

Culture, Visitors and the Night-Time Economy

·         Need to minimise ‘potential’ disturbance to residents and workers while enabling a vibrant and night-time economy.

·         Consider the inclusion of Livery Halls under the protection of existing visitor, arts and cultural facilities.

·         Provide more clarity regarding ‘suitable signage’ and ‘accessible public convenience provision’.

·         Reduce the number of ‘budget’ hotels and aim to increase the number of accessible hotel rooms, and on-site servicing.

·         Need to be precise with requirements regarding smoking and explore the possibility of the CoL being ‘smoke-free’

Circular Economy and Waste

·         Generalise references to the ‘South-East London Waste Planning Group’ in the event that the partnership should change.

·         The design of future buildings should aim for a ‘zero-waste’ city.

·         The transport of waste and freight should be by more sustainable transport incorporating use of the river.

Smart Infrastructure and Utilities.

·         Remove all old telephone boxes if appropriate and insist on wi-fi in all new buildings.

·         Encourage more ‘grey-water’ recycling.

Officers also advised of the recent publication of the draft London Plan and the key implications of the draft London Plan for the City’s Local Plan review. 

Members noted that the Draft Plan was more detailed and prescriptive than previous versions with the intention that local plans would help deliver the London Plan. A key change was the requirement that tall building proposals should be subject to independent design review, rather than relying on Borough or City officer and member expertise.

The Plan provided clear support for the City’s international commercial role, however a requirement to increase housing provision in the City could potentially cause conflict.

RESOLVED – To

1)            Agree the proposed draft policies set out at Appendices 1-3 of this report, and

2)            Note the recent publication of the draft London Plan and the key implications of the draft London Plan for the City’s Local Plan review.