The Local Plan I provides an "appropriate basis and sound policies" to guide planning in the Borough, provided two modifications are made, the Inspector said. The Plan must be modified to include wording to reflect the 'presumption in favour of sustainable development' and to require developer contributions to Crossrail.
"The Plan will provide a sound basis for Part II of the Local Plan, which will contain detailed site allocations, development management policies, and a policies map," the Inspector's report said (22-page / 206KB PDF).
The Inspector approved the Plan despite opposition, which argued that it should be deemed unsound because it does not allocate sites for specific types of development.
"I have decided that it is important that the first part of the Local Plan for Hillingdon is put in place quickly so that essential development that will support sustainable economic growth and regeneration is not hindered by continued uncertainty," the Inspector's report said.
"I am confident that such an approach will add impetus to the Council’s preparation of the detail to be contained in Part II of the Local Plan, whilst not inhibiting the opportunity for engagement in the process by all stakeholders," the report said.
Hillingdon's Local Plan Housing Trajectory indicates a five year supply of sites amounting to approximately 3,700 units, and a ten year supply of about 6,000 units. These projections are both "well above target", the Inspector said.
The London Plan has set the target for the Borough at 425 new homes per annum, which amounts to a 10 year requirement of 4,250 units. Pending a review of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, the London Plan advises that the Borough should roll forward the current annual requirement for the period beyond 2021, the report said.
In finding the Borough's spatial strategy sound, the Inspector noted that the current estimate is that work on the Opportunity Area Planning Framework will start in the current financial year, which would inform the next stage of the Local Plan Part II, where detailed guidance and policies for the Opportunity Area will be proposed.
"I do not support any delay in this Local Plan’s adoption until the boundary is defined. The spatial strategy in relation to the Opportunity Area’s sub-areas is clear enough. I am satisfied that this Local Plan is sound in this respect," the Inspector's report said.
"In view of the significance of the [Heathrow] Airport" the Council should continue to an evidenced based approach to the assessment of land requirements and development proposals that may come forward at the Airport, the Inspector said. "The Opportunity Area Planning Framework and the subsequent Local Plan Part II should provide the appropriate mechanisms for that kind of detailed evidence to be assessed"
The Council will now begin to develop its Local Plan Part II, which will contain detailed site allocations, development management policies and a policies map. It will also include detailed work on the Heathrow Opportunity Area Planning Framework.
