Localism in London

Future of London Seminar9 November 2011

The Mayor’s role in planning• Publishing a spatial development strategy (“the London Plan”)

•Overall strategic plan for London

•Geographic/locational aspects of Mayoral strategies

•Londonwide context for borough plans

•Policy framework for Mayoral planning decisions

• Considering development proposals of strategic importance:•Some he can tell a borough to refuse permission for•Some he can take over and decide for himself

Localism in London

"My intention is that the London Plan should provide a foundation for more local action, providing a framework, direction and information resource for planning boroughs, neighbourhoods and individual developments..."

Boris Johnson, London Plan EiP July 2010

Localism in London"Delivery is not just for us in City Hall – boroughs and neighbourhoods have an increasingly important role, and I want to see this Plan used by them as a resource for localism, helping them develop and then implement local approaches to meet their needs, but also add up Londonwide to more than the sum of the parts. That multi-faceted approach to what “local” means has been the genius of London over the last two thousand years; it will help ensure we have a city we can be proud to hand on to those who follow us".

Boris Johnson, London Plan Foreword, July 2011

Responding to Localism •London Plan Implementation Framework

•New Londonwide approach to implementation•Improved infrastructure planning•Guidance (eg shaping neighbourhoods)•Community Infrastructure Levy

•Changes to Mayor of London Order on referable applications

•Cross-boundary issues: who? what?

The National Planning Policy Framework•Doesn't refer to London•Government intends to revoke GOL Circular 1/2008

•NPPF policies intended to apply in absence of local plan

•Biggest impetus for localism in planning

NPPF - the Mayor's Response

•"London Plan should be expression of NPPF in London..the prime source of policy in the capital"

•Need a specific reference to London•Scope for Mayor to work with others to produce successor to 1/2008

•Need to allow for locally-sensitive policy approaches (eg housing in London)

The future..some thoughts•Will continue to be a Londonwide angle to localism

•NPPF could support a new relationship•between Mayor, boroughs and neighbourhoods•between public and private sectors•between London and central Government

•Money will be tight - need to work together to make available resources stretch

Any Questions?

Andrew.barry-purssell@london.gov.uk