Minor alterations to the London Plan
On 11 May 2015, Boris Johnson, London Mayor and MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip opened a consultation on minor alterations to the London Plan (MALPs). These alterations relate to housing standards and parking standards and are intended to to bring the London Plan into line with the new national housing standards and national car parking policy.
The alterations to the 2012 Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) will replace the existing housing space standards with the national space standard and adopt the optional Building Regulations on water and access (Part G and Part Q). The Code for Sustainable Homes and the Lifetime Homes concept will be removed.
The parking alterations recognise there are reasons for retaining residential parking standards in inner London, but that a more flexible approach could be adopted by the outer London boroughs, in particular in areas of low public transport accessibility. This would reduce pressure on on-street parking and avoid the ‘vicious cycle of clogged up streets leaving motorists running the gauntlet of congestion, unfair fines and parking restrictions'.
Following the consultation, the alterations were considered by an independent planning inspector at a joint public examination on 21 and 22 October 2015.
Alongside the minor alterations, a Housing Standards Policy Transition Statement was published, setting out how existing London housing standards should be applied from October 2015 until the minor alterations are adopted.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.