Response to Mayors consultation document
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
In December 2016, U+I welcomed the consultation on A City for All Londoners and the Mayor’s willingness to shake things up and to refine London’s planning system as a means of delivering the homes, jobs and places that the city needs.
U+I is active across London and at the forefront of delivering high quality new environments and creative responses that meet both existing and emerging needs. They regularly deliver public private partnership projects, with London Boroughs, Transport for London (TfL) and even the London Fire Brigade.
U+I have pulled together their feedback on the Mayor’s plans.
Part of the response includes a review of planning policy and they have also put forward six key recommendations which they believe would address some of the key issues affecting the Mayor’s direction of travel.
[edit] 1. Enable mixed-use
Local authorities should be directed to encourage productivity on strategic industrial locations (SIL)-designated assets of employment with mixed use developments where exemplary solutions like The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes can deliver more of the outcomes needed by London.
[edit] 2. Value heritage
Heritage is essential to creating a sense of place. The London Plan should recognise this and provide greater weight to the adoption of historical reference and heritage assets. Greater emphasis should be placed on the value of our heritage assets and local historical context by inspiring future generations to enjoy the richness of the capital as a City of Villages, each with its fine grain.
[edit] 3. Encourage public private collaboration
The Mayor should encourage greater innovative collaboration between public and private sectors to create extraordinary examples of best practice in place making and regeneration.
[edit] 4. Rethink PTAL
Public Transport Access Level (PTAL) is a crude instrument determining the density and development potential and a review of this approach is necessary. U+I suggests that a bias towards high density, mid-rise is far more appropriate than tall buildings.
[edit] 5. Review brownfield potential in the Green Belt
The London Plan should instigate a full review of the potential across London for development of brownfield sites within green belt and metropolitan open land (MOL) as an urgent response to the housing crisis. U+I would be willing to challenge the blanket assumption that all designated green belt is sacrosanct.
[edit] 6. One size does not fit all
Where apartments are for rental in perpetuity, to be designed to exacting standards, the London Plan should encourage the development of smaller homes in a central location.
U+I look forward to continuing a good relationship with the Greater London Assembly (GLA) and to engaging on the preparation and adoption of relevant planning policies to make easier the delivery which London needs and to which they are committed.
The imminent review offers the opportunity for the London Mayor to restructure and update planning policies in a changing and more challenging environment and U+I urge him to do so effectively.
This article was originally published by U+I on 12 Dec 2016.
--U and I
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.