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| INTRODUCTION | |||
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Context
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| 1.1 | There is now a much wider understanding of the global environment and the impact of development and economic activity on the earth's climate and resources. A holistic approach to development, acknowledging the inter-connections between economic, social and environmental factors, increasingly means taking a more global, rather than a parochial view. European Union Directives relating to a diverse range of economic, social and environmental matters have impacted on spatial development planning throughout Europe, highlighting the need to apply sustainable development principles in all strategies. At the national level, the UK Government has a Sustainable Development Strategy which provides a context for land use planning policy. The Harrow Unitary Development Plan (HUDP) adopted on 30th July 2004 replaces the HUDP that was adopted on 28 November 1994. The HUDP is in general conformity with the London Plan. However, the London Plan was published by the Mayor of London in February 2004 at which time the draft replacement HUDP was at an advanced stage of preparation, during the deposit period of the post-Inquiry proposed modifications. There was little scope, therefore, for making further changes to fully reflect the London Plan without causing significant delays to the HUDP's adoption date and the start of work on the Local Development Framework (LDF). As a result, agreement was reached between the Council and the Mayor of London that certain areas of policy (waste policies and aspects of housing policy) would be subject to early reviews in the work on preparation of Harrow's LDF which will eventually supersede the HUDP. | ||
| Functions of the Harrow Unitary Development Plan (HUDP) | |||
| 1.2 | The environment we live in is subject to constant change, whether these are man-made or determined by natural forces, or the interaction of the two. How we choose to use the valuable land and other natural resources in the Borough is influenced by planning policies. Many proposals to build on, or use land and buildings in a different manner, require planning permission. All planning applications are determined against the HUDP policies and the London Plan. The Plan therefore needs to give a clear indication to potential developers as to how their applications will be assessed, together with providing encouragement and a degree of certainty for those wishing to invest in the Borough. | ||
| 1.3 | Planning policies are primarily aimed at securing development in appropriate locations which contributes to securing a high quality of environment, facilitates a better pattern of land use, and secures efficient use of scarce resources. They also stop inappropriate development from taking place. Much development results from the implementation of strategies produced not only by the Council, (sometimes in partnership with other agencies), but also by many commercial and community interests. | ||
| 1.4 | Because the Plan sets down policies and proposals which affect the quality of life and environment of everyone living, working in or visiting the Borough, its production has provided an opportunity for everyone to comment on it. An important function is to ensure that the Plan's implementation is monitored effectively, and improvements made to reflect changed circumstances. Facilitating the on-going engagement of all groups in this process will be important to ensure that it is kept up-to-date. | ||
| Statutory basis for the Plan and process for its production | |||
| 1.5 | Local Planning Authorities in London are required to produce Unitary Development Plans covering their whole borough, and to keep them under review. As a legal document setting out the planning policies against which planning applications in the Borough are to be determined, the HUDP has to be prepared within a statutory framework. The 'plan-led system' (Section 54A of the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act) means that the policies in the Plan should be followed in making decisions on individual planning applications, unless other material considerations indicate otherwise. | ||
| 1.6 | The 1990 Town and Country Planning Act (as amended by the Planning and Local Compensation Act 1991), the Town and Country Planning (Unitary Development Plan) (England) Regulations 1999, and Local Government Act 1985, together with a number of Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs), Circulars, Regulations and Advice have provided the context for the production of this Plan. The HUDP was required to pay due regard to strategic issues of importance to London. In this respect, whilst the Government's Strategic Planning Guidance for London Planning Authorities (RPG3 1996) was still operative, and reference was made to Strategic Advice prepared by the former London Planning Advisory Committee (LPAC), increasing regard was paid to both the draft London Plan and published London Plan prepared by the Mayor for London. Due regard will also be paid to the wider context provided by the UK Strategy on Sustainable Development, and the Urban White Paper (Cm 4911). All of the policies and proposals in the adopted HUDP have been reviewed, particularly in the light of new guidance received in the last two years. | ||
| Planning in the wider context | |||
| 1.7 | Future development in Harrow will be influenced by policies which have paid full regard to its position and role in north-west London, and issues of importance to London as a whole. As an outer London Borough, Harrow is influenced by activity in the area of Hertfordshire immediately to the north. Preparation of this Plan has involved consultation and joint working, where appropriate, to develop policies which ensure consistency with those of adjoining authorities. Achieving a more sustainable pattern of land use within Harrow requires a full awareness of the inter-relationships with other areas. | ||
| 1.8 | The HUDP has been produced within the context of a range of Council strategies, or strategies in which the Council is a partner, whose objectives, policies and programmes of action have been recognised. Partnership working and cross-Borough development proposals are already essential ingredients of many strategies. | ||
| Format of the Plan | |||
| 1.9 | Reflecting statutory requirements, the replacement HUDP comprises the Written Statement and a Proposals Map. | ||
| Written Statement | |||
| This is divided into 2 distinct parts:- | |||
| Part 1 | sets out in broad terms the overall land use strategy for the development and use of land in the Borough, having regard to London-wide matters and sustainable development objectives. Strategic policies are set out with their reasoned justifications. It provides the framework and context for the more detailed policies and specific proposals contained in Part 2. | ||
| Part 2 | sets out the more detailed planning policies under topic chapter headings, together with their reasoned justifications. Explanation of specific site proposals is also included in Part 2. | ||
| In addition to Parts 1 and 2, a number of Schedules are included at the end of the Plan, which provide supporting information. | |||
| Proposals Map | |||
| This identifies the areas where particular policies in the Plan apply, together with site-specific proposals. Some general policies, which may be Borough-wide in their coverage, may not be included on the Proposals Map. It is therefore important to read the Map in conjunction with the Written Statement. Other text maps are included within the Written Statement which amplify information contained on the Proposals Map, or matters which could not adequately be displayed on the Proposals Map. | |||
| Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) | |||
| Besides the policies contained in the Written Statement, the Council has produced other guidance which elaborates on them. These should be read in conjunction with the Plan and, although not forming part of the Plan, may be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. They may be updated from time to time to reflect good practice and changed circumstances. | |||
| A Sustainability Appraisal of the policies contained in the Plan was undertaken, and this formed supporting information to the Plan. | |||
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