EXTRACTS FROM RESIDENTS COMMENTS
14 DECEMBER 2020
Tall buildings have a huge impact on our townscape, and need to be considered strategically, and not on an adhoc, unplanned, speculative basis. The London Plan (intend to publish version) sets out this approach. Policy D9 addresses tall buildings, and makes it clear that it is for Boroughs to identify locations where tall buildings may be appropriate, and that these locations should be identified on maps in Development Plans (D9C(2)). Part B concludes (B3) Tall buildings should only be developed in locations that are identified in Development Plans.
In this regard the recent Direction issued by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Right Honourable Robert Jenrick, is of substantial material significance. In considering the matter of tall buildings, and London Plan Policy D9 specifically, the Secretary of State wrote:
“However, there are some areas where tall buildings don’t reflect the local character. I believe boroughs should be empowered to choose where tall buildings are built within their communities. Your draft policy goes some way to dealing with this concern. In my view we should go further and I am issuing a further Direction to strengthen the policy to ensure such developments are only brought forward in appropriate and clearly defined areas, as determined by the boroughs whilst still enabling gentle density across London.
The substantial number of proposals for tall building brought forward in inappropriate (unplanned) locations is clearly a matter of great concern for the Secretary of State, and clearly he is determined to do something about them. This is evident from the recent Secretary of State refusal to grant permission for a tall building in the centre of Norwich, a location that has parallels with the situation emerging in Kingston. The Secretary of State’s closing remarks to the Mayor of London in his recent letter were:
“I am sure that you share my concern about such proposals and will make the required change, which will ensure tall buildings do not come forward in inappropriate areas of the capital.”
The Secretary of State could not have been clearer in setting out his concerns, and directing the Mayor of London to further strengthen his policy to ensure tall buildings are only brought forward in appropriate (suitable) and clearly defined areas. The approach required by the London Plan will now be all the more clearly stated; tall buildings must form part of a plan-led approach (i.e. not come forward via speculative applications on non-compliant sites – as would be the case with SCC’s plans for the cluster of tall buildings on the Bittoms car park).
14 DECEMBER 2020
Tall buildings have a huge impact on our townscape, and need to be considered strategically, and not on an adhoc, unplanned, speculative basis. The London Plan (intend to publish version) sets out this approach. Policy D9 addresses tall buildings, and makes it clear that it is for Boroughs to identify locations where tall buildings may be appropriate, and that these locations should be identified on maps in Development Plans (D9C(2)). Part B concludes (B3) Tall buildings should only be developed in locations that are identified in Development Plans.
In this regard the recent Direction issued by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Right Honourable Robert Jenrick, is of substantial material significance. In considering the matter of tall buildings, and London Plan Policy D9 specifically, the Secretary of State wrote:
“However, there are some areas where tall buildings don’t reflect the local character. I believe boroughs should be empowered to choose where tall buildings are built within their communities. Your draft policy goes some way to dealing with this concern. In my view we should go further and I am issuing a further Direction to strengthen the policy to ensure such developments are only brought forward in appropriate and clearly defined areas, as determined by the boroughs whilst still enabling gentle density across London.
The substantial number of proposals for tall building brought forward in inappropriate (unplanned) locations is clearly a matter of great concern for the Secretary of State, and clearly he is determined to do something about them. This is evident from the recent Secretary of State refusal to grant permission for a tall building in the centre of Norwich, a location that has parallels with the situation emerging in Kingston. The Secretary of State’s closing remarks to the Mayor of London in his recent letter were:
“I am sure that you share my concern about such proposals and will make the required change, which will ensure tall buildings do not come forward in inappropriate areas of the capital.”
The Secretary of State could not have been clearer in setting out his concerns, and directing the Mayor of London to further strengthen his policy to ensure tall buildings are only brought forward in appropriate (suitable) and clearly defined areas. The approach required by the London Plan will now be all the more clearly stated; tall buildings must form part of a plan-led approach (i.e. not come forward via speculative applications on non-compliant sites – as would be the case with SCC’s plans for the cluster of tall buildings on the Bittoms car park).
