Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF)
The Greater London Authority (GLA) support the compiling of Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks (OAPFs), which are documents used to specify how an ‘opportunity area’ can be developed.
Opportunity areas are defined in the London Plan as brownfield land that has ‘…significant capacity to accommodate new housing, commercial and other development linked to existing or potential improvements to public transport accessibility’. Opportunity areas can typically accommodate at least 5,000 jobs or 2,500 new homes, or a combination of the two.
The purpose of OAPFs is to consider how the key development sites fit within a policy context and to provide a strategic and design-led approach to spatial planning. They also seek to identify and resolve policy and cross-borough issues that may prove contentious during the early stages of the planning process. They provide certainty to the development process and for investment, and build consensus between public and private stakeholders.
OAPFs tend to focus on implementation and aim to provide both developers and local communities with a development timeframe, rooting the project within an agreed strategy.
OAPFs identify opportunities and challenges that the development should aim to resolve, which may include:
- Land use.
- Infrastructure provision.
- Spatial integration and planning strategies.
- Public realm guidelines.
- Energy requirements.
- Regeneration.
- Land assembly.
- Phasing.
- Tall building strategy.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- City Hall, London.
- Community plan.
- Development plan.
- GLA Housing Design SPG.
- Laying the foundations: a housing strategy for England.
- Local development scheme.
- London infrastructure plan.
- London Land Commission.
- London View Management Framework.
- Planning permission.
- Regional spatial strategy.
- Supplementary planning documents.
- The London Plan.
[edit] External resources
- London.gov.uk - What are opportunity areas?
Featured articles and news
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.