Planning in City of London

Location and protection of social and community facilities

1. Existing social and community facilities will be protected in situ unless: a. Replacement facilities of at least equivalent quality, quantity and accessibility are provided on-site or within the vicinity which meet existing and predicted future needs for this type of facility; or b. Necessary services can be delivered from other facilities without leading to, or increasing, any shortfall in provision, and with equivalent or improved accessibility for relevant user groups; or c. It has been demonstrated through active marketing, at reasonable terms for public, social and community floorspace, that there is no demand for the existing facility or another social or community use on the site. 2. The development of new social and community facilities should provide flexible, multi-use spaces suitable for a range of different uses and will be permitted: a. In locations which are convenient to the communities they serve; b. In or near identified residential areas, providing their amenity is safeguarded; and c. As part of major mixed-use developments, subject to an assessment of the scale, character, location and impact of the proposal on existing facilities and neighbouring uses. 3. Developments that result in additional need for social and community facilities will be required to provide the necessary facilities or contribute towards enhancing existing facilities to enable them to meet identified need.

Public toilets

The City Corporation will promote a widespread distribution of publicly accessible toilets which meet public demand by: 1. Requiring the provision of a range of directly accessible public toilet facilities suitable for a range of users including disabled people, families with young children and people of all gender identities in major retail, leisure, and transport developments, particularly near visitor attractions, public open spaces, and existing major transport interchanges. Provision should be made for free 'Changing Places' for disabled people and their carers and facilities for feeding infants; 2. Requiring publicly accessible toilets with visible signage, which should be available 24-hours a day, particularly in areas with concentrations of night-time activity; 3. Supporting an increase in the membership of the Community Toilet Scheme (CTS); 4. Resisting the loss of existing publicly accessible toilets as a result of redevelopment, and requiring the provision of replacement facilities, unless adequate provision is available nearby; and 5. Requiring the renewal of existing toilets which are within areas subject to major redevelopment schemes and seeking the incorporation of additional toilets in proposed developments, such as hotels and office schemes, where they are needed to meet increased demand, especially in locations likely to see significant footfall and visitors.

Sport and recreation

1. The City Corporation will promote the expansion of the City's sport and recreation offer, by encouraging sport and recreation provision as part of appropriate new developments and helping to deliver a network of free outdoor sporting facilities in the City. 2. Existing public sport and recreational facilities will be protected in situ, unless: a. replacement facilities of at least equivalent quality, quantity and accessibility are provided on-site or within the vicinity that meets existing and predicted future needs for this type of facility; or b. necessary services can be delivered from other facilities without leading to, or increasing, any shortfall in provision; or c. it has been demonstrated through active marketing, at reasonable terms for sport and recreational use, that there is no demand for the existing facility or alternative sport and recreation facilities which could be met on the site. 3. The provision of new sport and recreation facilities, particularly publicly accessible facilities, will be encouraged in locations which are convenient to the communities they serve. New facilities should provide flexible space to accommodate a range of different uses and users, must be accessible to all, and should not cause undue disturbance to neighbouring occupiers. 4. The use of vacant development sites for a temporary sport or recreational use will be encouraged where appropriate and where this does not preclude return to the original use or other suitable use on redevelopment.

Play areas and facilities

1. The City Corporation will promote opportunities for inclusive play and the provision of high quality play equipment and spaces in the City, by: a. Protecting existing play areas and facilities and, on redevelopment, requiring the replacement of facilities either on-site or nearby to an equivalent or better standard; b. Seeking additional or enhanced play equipment and spaces, particularly in areas near to existing or planned attractions, and in places within and well connected to residential areas and other places likely to be used by children and young people; c. Requiring external play space and facilities as part of major new residential developments; d. Where the creation of new play facilities is not possible, requiring developers to work with the City Corporation to deliver enhanced provision nearby, or provide financial contributions to enable the provision of facilities elsewhere; e. Promoting opportunities for informal play within open spaces where it is not possible to secure formal play areas; and f. Ensuring play facilities are designed inclusively, considering in particular differences in age, gender, neurodiversity and disability. Developers should seek to engage children and young people in the design of play spaces. 2. Play areas and facilities must be inclusive and not be located in areas of poor air quality due to the negative health impacts on young children.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

The City Corporation will require development to deliver health benefits to the City's communities and mitigate any negative impacts. Major development should submit a rapid Health Impact Assessment (HIA). A full HIA will be required on those developments that are subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). An HIA may also be required for developments considered to have particular health impacts, including those involving sensitive uses such as education, health, leisure or community facilities, publicly accessible open space, hot food take away shops, betting shops and in areas where air pollution and noise issues are particularly prevalent. The scope of any HIA should be agreed with the City Corporation and be informed by City Corporation guidance on HIA. The assessment should be undertaken as early as possible in the development process so that potential health gains can be maximised, and any negative impacts can be mitigated.

Protection of Existing Visitor, Arts and Cultural Facilities

1. The City Corporation will resist the loss of existing visitor, arts, and cultural facilities, unless: a. Replacement facilities of at least equivalent quality are provided on-site or within the vicinity which meet the needs of the City's communities; or b. The use can be delivered from other facilities without leading to or increasing any shortfall in provision and it has been demonstrated that there is no demand for another similar use on the site; or c. It has been demonstrated that there is no realistic prospect of the premises being used for a similar purpose in the foreseeable future. 2. Proposals resulting in the loss of visitor, arts and cultural facilities must be accompanied by evidence of the lack of need for those facilities. Loss of facilities will only be permitted where this would facilitate the overall enhancement of visitor, arts or cultural provision within the vicinity or where it has been demonstrated that the existing facility has been actively marketed for its current or an alternative visitor, arts or cultural use at reasonable terms for such a use.

Provision of Arts, Culture and Leisure Facilities

The City Corporation will seek opportunities to provide new arts, cultural and leisure facilities that offer unique experiences at different times of the day and week and attract significant numbers of visitors into the City by: 1. Requiring major developments to submit Culture and Vibrancy Plans setting out how their development will culturally enrich the Square Mile, informed by the City Corporation's Cultural Planning Framework (CPF); 2. Requiring large scale development proposals of 10,000 sqm or more in size to make provision on-site for arts, culture or leisure facilities; 3. Requiring major developments below 10,000 sqm in size to make provision for arts, culture or leisure facilities of a scale commensurate with the size of the development, or to provide off-site provision or contributions towards arts, culture and leisure facilities and infrastructure. On-site provision will be preferred, with off-site provision only being appropriate where a specific project has been identified through partnership working. 4. Encouraging the provision of arts, culture and leisure facilities in historic buildings and spaces where this would contribute to the enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of the City's heritage in a way that is inclusive, welcoming and accessible for all.

Provision of Visitor Facilities

The provision of facilities that meet the needs of visitors in new cultural developments and in nearby open spaces and the public realm will be encouraged, including: 1. Seating and tables; 2. Structures and landscaping to enable children's play and provide facilities for school groups; 3. Suitable shelter from weather conditions; 4. Well-designed public convenience provision, including changing places toilets, accessible to all users; 5. Well-designed signage, wayfinding and links to visitor facilities and destinations; 6. Temporary pop-up art installations, galleries and spaces in appropriate locations; 7. Performance spaces and animation of key routes where appropriate.

Hotels

Proposals for hotels and other visitor accommodation will be permitted where they: 1. Comply with the requirements of Policy OF2; 2. Do not result in adverse impacts on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers, including cumulative impacts; 3. Provide active frontages and active uses at ground floor level, including facilities accessible to the public; 4. Are in suitable locations that provide good access to attractions, workplaces and other destinations in and outside the City, including via public transport; 5. Provide satisfactory arrangements for pick-up/drop-off, service delivery vehicles, waste storage, and taxis, appropriate to the size and nature of the development; 6. Are inclusive, meeting London Plan accessibility standards for new hotel bedrooms; 7. Ensure continuing beneficial use for historic buildings, including enhanced and inclusive public access to and interpretation of that heritage, where appropriate; and 8. Address the sustainability challenges associated with the City's BREEAM priorities (energy, water, pollution and materials).

Evening and Night-Time Economy

1. Proposals for new evening and night-time entertainment and related uses and the extension of existing premises will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that, either individually or cumulatively, there is no unacceptable impact on: a. the amenity of residents and other noise-sensitive uses; b. environmental amenity, taking account of the potential for noise, disturbance, waste and odours arising from the operation of the premises, customers arriving at and leaving the premises, and the servicing of the premises. 2. Applicants will be required to submit Management Statements detailing how these issues will be addressed during the operation of the premises and should engage with nearby residential and commercial occupiers. 3. Where new residential development is proposed close to existing evening or night-time uses, the residential development will only be permitted if it includes suitable measures to mitigate potential disturbance and noise and air quality issues for prospective residents, in line with the agent of change principle.

Public Art

1. The City's public realm and distinctive identity will be enhanced by: a. encouraging the provision of new permanent, temporary, inclusive, diverse and high quality artworks in appropriate locations in the City on public and private land; b. protecting existing works of art, statues, memorials and other objects of cultural significance; c. ensuring that financial provision is made for the continuing maintenance of new public art; d. requiring the appropriate reinstatement or re-siting of art works and other objects of cultural significance when buildings are redeveloped. 2. The location of new and relocated artworks must take into consideration the health and safety of pedestrians, particularly disabled people, and other road users.

Inclusive buildings and spaces

1. Buildings, open spaces and streets must meet the highest standards of accessibility and inclusive design, ensuring that the City of London is; 2. Inclusive, welcoming and safe for all, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Major applications should develop and submit equality impact assessments, demonstrating how this will be achieved; 3. Convenient and welcoming with no disabling barriers, ensuring that everyone can experience independence without undue effort, separation or special treatment; 4. Responsive to the requirements of all users who visit, work or live in the City, whilst recognising that one solution might not work for all; 5. A place that promotes equity, diversity and social inclusion in the design and use of buildings and public spaces, including through the provision of spaces that are free to access.

Publicly accessible locations

All major developments are required to address the issue of publicly accessible locations and counter-terrorism by: 1. Conducting a full risk assessment; 2. Undertaking early consultation with the City of London Police on risk mitigation measures; and 3. Restricting or rationalising motor vehicle access where required.

Safe and Secure City

The City Corporation will work with the City of London Police, the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and the London Fire Brigade to ensure that the City is safe and secure from crime, the fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and terrorism, by: 1. Ensuring that development proposals design-out crime and encourage a mix of uses and natural surveillance of streets and spaces; 2. Implementing measures to enhance the collective security of the City against terrorist threats, applying security measures to broad areas such as the Traffic and Environmental Zone, major development schemes, or to the City as a whole; 3. Developing area-based approaches to implementing security measures where major developments are planned or are under construction simultaneously, and in locations where occupiers have requested collective security measures; 4. Ensuring that development proposals take account of the need for resilience so that residential and business communities are better prepared for, and better able to recover from, emergencies including fire, flood, weather, and other related hazards as set out in the London Risk Register. 5. Requiring development proposals to meet the highest standards of fire safety. Major development proposals must submit a Fire Statement setting out how the development will address fire safety in the design, construction and operation of the building for all building users, including safe and dignified emergency evacuation. 6. Ensuring that development proposals cater to community safety and security requirements particularly those of people more likely to experience crime and fear of safety, including women, girls, children, younger, older and disabled people.

Healthy and Inclusive City

The City Corporation will work with a range of partners to create a healthy and inclusive environment, promote social and economic inclusivity and enable all communities to access a wide range of health, employment, education, recreation, sport and leisure opportunities, by: 1. Implementing the principles of the City of London Corporation Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy; 2. Ensuring that the construction, design, use and management of buildings, streets and the public realm helps to protect and improve the health of all the City's communities; 3. Requiring Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) of different levels depending on the scale and impact of the proposed development; 4. Requiring the design and management of buildings, streets and spaces to provide for the access requirements of all the City's communities, including disabled people, older people and people with young children; 5. Requiring inclusive design and management of buildings, streets and public spaces to provide for the requirements of all the City's communities; 6. Expecting developers and development to: a. engage with neighbours before and during construction to minimise adverse impacts; b. promote healthy buildings and the use of relevant standards that measure health and wellbeing in buildings; c. improve local air quality, particularly nitrogen dioxide and particulates PM10 and PM2.5; d. respect the City's quieter places and spaces; e. limit unnecessary light spillage and 'sky glow'; f. address land contamination, ensuring development does not result in contaminated land or pollution of the water environment; 7. Protecting and enhancing existing public health and educational facilities, including St Bartholomew's Hospital and existing schools and higher education providers within the Square Mile, working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs to deliver accessible additional educational and health facilities in appropriate locations; 8. Encouraging the further provision of both public and private health facilities. Conditions may be attached to permissions for public healthcare facilities to ensure their future retention; 9. Promoting opportunities for training and skills development to improve access to employment, particularly for City residents and those in neighbouring boroughs; 10. Supporting facilities for the provision and improvement of social and educational services through the City's libraries; 11. Supporting nursery provision and additional childcare facilities; 12. Protecting and enhancing existing community facilities, allowing for relocation where justified, and providing new facilities where required; and 13. Protecting and enhancing existing sport, play space and recreation facilities and encouraging the provision of further publicly accessible facilities, within major developments and public realm improvements, in line with the aims of the City Corporation's Sports Strategy.

Smithfield and Barbican

The City Corporation will improve the Smithfield and Barbican area by: 1. Encouraging culture-led mixed-use development on major sites in the area as well as cultural infrastructure and complementary uses, and delivering art and cultural attractions and public realm improvements; 2. Ensuring the retention and improvement of pedestrian permeability and connectivity through large sites such as Smithfield Market, and Barbican whilst seeking to preserve privacy, security and noise abatement for residents and businesses; 3. Ensuring future alternative uses appropriate to the listed status of the market buildings in Smithfield if the existing uses are relocated; 4. Supporting and enabling residential development in appropriate locations; 5. Identifying and meeting residents' needs in the north of the City, including the protection and enhancement of residential amenity, community facilities and open space; 6. Making improvements to Beech Street to reduce the volume of vehicle traffic, improve air quality and increase amenity and vitality; 7. Seeking to minimise pollution levels through traffic management measures and increased green infrastructure in the public realm and on buildings; 8. Requiring improvements to pedestrian and cycle routes for all within and through the north of the City; 9. Supporting continued connections to the Citigen district heating and cooling network and ensuring that, where feasible, all new development is designed to enable connection to the Citigen network; 10. Supporting the provision of additional hotel uses in appropriate locations, where they are complementary to the City's business role; 11. Encouraging a diverse leisure, retail, food and beverage offer, particularly along routes between the London Museum and the Barbican; 12. Encouraging the provision of spaces and premises suitable for start-ups, digital and creative industries, and cultural organisations and artists, including meanwhile use of vacant premises; and 13. Enhancing the special character of the area through sensitive change.

Culture and Visitors

The City Corporation will maintain and enhance the City of London's cultural, leisure and recreation offer, visitor experiences and infrastructure, and the City's evening and weekend economies to position the Square Mile as a key cultural and leisure destination, by: 1. Encouraging cultural placemaking and creating vibrant and inclusive places that contribute to the experience of living, working and visiting the City while addressing the needs and aspirations of the City's communities; 2. Developing a wide range of cultural, leisure and recreation facilities across the City that offer unique experiences at different times of the day and week, in line with the Culture Planning Framework (CPF), and that support City's role as a visitor destination; 3. Protecting and enhancing existing areas of cultural significance including cultural buildings and leisure and recreation facilities, particularly where they provide an anchor for cultural regeneration or where a continuing need exists and ensuring there is no overall loss of cultural facilities or diversity in the City; 4. Providing accessible and inclusive infrastructure and facilities that complement cultural, leisure and recreation uses in the City; 5. Placing heritage at the heart of cultural placemaking, seeking opportunities to embed heritage in the cultural offer and creating spaces and experiences that celebrate the City's rich history, culture and community; 6. Supporting the development of creative industries and encouraging appropriate workspace and digital infrastructure to facilitate their development; 7. Allowing hotel development where it supports the primary business or cultural role of the City; 8. Enabling a vibrant evening and night-time economy, especially in areas of night-time activity and around cultural and tourist attractions where public transport such as the night tube and night buses are available, ensuring that users are well-served with safe and convenient night-time transport; 9. Maintaining the City's existing artworks, statues, memorials and culturally significant items and pursuing opportunities to commission new, high quality artworks in appropriate locations, ensuring they protect and enhance the local character, are accessibly and inclusively designed, and contribute towards enriching the public realm; 10. Maintaining and enhancing the City's open spaces and public realm to accommodate cultural events and activities that are inclusive and accessible to all City communities, and which promote and celebrate the City's rich heritage and culture; and 11. Encouraging the temporary use of vacant buildings for creative and cultural activities.

Sustainable Design

1. Development proposals should follow a retrofit first approach, thoroughly exploring the potential for retaining and retrofitting existing buildings as the starting point for appraising site options. 2. All major development must undertake an assessment of the options for the site, in line with the City Corporation's Carbon Options Guidance Planning Advice Note, and should use this process to establish the most sustainable and suitable approach for the site. 3. Development proposals should minimise whole life-cycle carbon emissions. Major developments must submit a whole life-cycle carbon assessment. 4. Where new buildings are the most sustainable and suitable approach, they should deliver exemplar low carbon development and the highest environmental sustainability quality, driving forward best practice beyond standard approaches and contributing to wider sustainability improvements in the area. 5. Innovative design, materials, construction, and technologies should be used to deliver highest standards of environmental sustainability. 6. Applicants must ensure that measures to improve environmental performance and mitigate and adapt to climate change have been integrated into the design. Circular economy design approaches 7. Development should be designed to incorporate circular economy principles throughout the life cycle of the building through: a. Flexible building design to accommodate evolving working and living patterns, reducing the need for redevelopment; b. Floorspace adaptability to maximise the lifespan of buildings; c. Reuse, refurbishment and retention of existing buildings, structures and materials to reduce reliance on virgin resources; d. Designing for disassembly, reuse and recycling of deconstruction materials; e. Maximum use of recycled materials in development and off-site construction methods to reduce wastage; and f. Designs which enable durability, modularity, sharing of goods and services and reuse of supplies and equipment, minimising waste during the building's operational phase. Sustainability standards 8. Proposals for major development will be required to: a. Achieve a minimum BREEAM rating of "excellent" and aim for "outstanding" against the current, relevant BREEAM criteria at the time of application, obtaining maximum credits for the City's priorities (energy, water, materials, waste and pollution). Climate resilience credit should be achieved for the waste category; b. Commit to achieving a minimum NABERS UK rating of 5 stars; c. Demonstrate that London Plan guidance on carbon emissions and air quality requirements have been met on site. In exceptional circumstances, where standards cannot be met on site, carbon offsetting will be required to account for the shortfall. This will be secured through a S106 agreement with offsetting contributions ring fenced for carbon reduction projects; d. Retain existing buildings and structures where feasible to reduce embodied carbon emissions and waste; e. Demonstrate climate resilience in building and landscape design; f. Incorporate collective infrastructure such as heating and cooling networks, smart grids and collective renewable energy storage (for example batteries) wherever possible, to contribute to a net zero carbon, zero-waste, climate resilient City; and g. Prioritise the objectives of the City of London Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) to create or link into local energy networks and waste heat sources, and include opportunities for heat and cooling transfer to/from nearby developments.

Design Quality

1. Development should be of an exemplar standard of design, aesthetics and architectural detail and should enhance the townscape and public realm. Development that would adversely affect the character, appearance or amenities of the buildings or area will be resisted. 2. The design of new development must ensure that: a. The layout, form, scale, massing and appearance of schemes are appropriate in relation to their surroundings and have due regard to the scale, height, building lines, character, historic interest and significance, urban grain and materials of the locality and relate well to the character of the area; b. The site layout takes account of established and potential pedestrian desire lines enhancing pedestrian permeability; c. Buildings and public spaces are inclusive and accessible for everyone; d. The architecture and urban design function well, are visually attractive with high quality detailing, finishes and materials, and enrich the overall quality of the area for the long term; e. Elevations have active, engaging and welcoming street frontages; f. The development incorporates high quality landscape design and maximises opportunities for greening, biodiversity and public realm improvements; g. Innovative design approaches are used to create high quality buildings that meet high sustainability standards, and integrate well with the surroundings; h. It is constructed using appropriate, high quality, low carbon, sustainable and durable materials; i. It avoids unacceptable wind, loss of daylight and sunlight and thermal comfort impacts at street level or intrusive solar glare impacts on the surrounding townscape and public realm; j. The proposed uses and activities are accommodated within the curtilage of the development and do not rely on use of the public realm, including the use of public highway; k. The plant and building services equipment are fully screened from view and integrated into the design of the building such that there are no adverse impacts on amenity in surrounding areas; l. The form, profile and appearance of the roofscape adds visual interest and complements the building. 3. Applicants will be encouraged to undertake meaningful developer-led engagement before submitting their planning application in line with the City Corporation's Developer Engagement Guidance; 4. Applicants will be required to provide digital 3D visualisations of their developments in an open source or other format compatible with the City Corporation's 3D digital modelling technology. These visualisations should be used to inform pre-application and post application consultation with local communities and stakeholders. 5. Applicants will be required to ensure the quality of the approved development is not materially diminished between permission and completion as a result of changes to the permitted to scheme.

Public Realm

The City Corporation will work in partnership with developers, Transport for London and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and other key stakeholders to design and implement schemes for the enhancement of streets and spaces and the creation of new spaces including public squares, parks, open spaces, viewing galleries, rooftops, forecourts, streets, courts, alleyways, routes and spaces between buildings. Public Realm Design Public realm schemes, must have regard to: 1. The need to provide high quality, inclusive, welcoming, well designed, safe, and functional public realm that takes into account how people will use the space; 2. The wellbeing of users ensuring appropriate shade and shelter, provision of areas with access to direct sunlight and taking into consideration microclimatic conditions including temperature, wind, exposure to noise, air pollution to create places that encourage people to dwell and spend time; 3. The predominant use and function of the space and adjacent spaces; 4. The use of sustainable natural and high quality materials, avoiding an excessive range whilst harmonising the proposals with the surroundings and the materials used throughout the City; 5. The need to increase the provision of green infrastructure, including tree planting, urban greening, soft landscaping and the delivery of net gains in biodiversity, and to link up existing habitats, green spaces and routes to provide green corridors; 6. The City's heritage, identifying, and retaining, and better revealing features that contribute positively to the character, cultural and leisure experience and appearance of the City; 7. The need to integrate high quality public art as part of the public realm design; 8. The provision of sustainable drainage, where feasible, co-ordinating the design with adjacent buildings to facilitate rainwater management; 9. The need to improve pedestrian amenity, ensuring that streets and walkways remain uncluttered and encourage walking, cycling and wheeling; 10. The promotion of active travel, delivering interventions which improve the design of streets and spaces for pedestrians and cyclists in line with the Healthy Streets Approach; 11. The sensitive co-ordination of lighting with the overall design of the scheme; 12. The need to provide public amenities including seating and free water drinking fountains. Inclusive and Accessible Public Realm The public realm should be welcoming, inclusive and accessible to all; it should be free to use and access. Development proposals should: 1. Provide inclusive and accessible public realm that meets the existing and future needs of all user groups; 2. Ensure public spaces are open, welcoming, inclusive, free to use, and fully publicly accessible and that appropriate management and operational arrangements are in place. Where the development creates new public realm or affects the use of existing public ream, it should be ensured that public access to the space is maximised and the rules governing the space are minimised to those required for its safe management, in accordance with the Mayor of London's Public London Charter. A Management Plan should be provided setting out how the space will be used and managed at different times of the day and different days of the week. 3. Ensure public spaces are free to use and access and align with the principles contained in the Mayor's Public London Charter; any restrictions to public access will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances, subject to a legal agreement and should be the minimum necessary, appropriate and reasonable.

Terraces and Elevated Public Spaces

1. Roof terraces will be encouraged where: a. The roof terrace is visually integrated into the overall design of the building when seen from both street level and elevated viewpoints; b. There would be no immediate overlooking of residential premises, unacceptable disturbance from noise or other significantly adverse impacts on residential amenity. Where there is a potential for a significantly adverse impact, the use of an extensive green roof and a restriction on access should be considered as an alternative; c. Historic or locally distinctive roof forms, features or structures can be retained and enhanced; d. There would be no adverse impact on protected views; e. The design and layout of the terrace optimises the potential for urban greening; f. Emissions from combustion plant will not affect users of the terrace. 2. Where roof terraces and elevated public spaces are proposed, safety and security risks must be addressed at the design stage and space for security checks and any hostile vehicle mitigation incorporated into the development, where required. 3. Requiring all tall buildings or major developments to provide free to enter, publicly accessible elevated spaces, which may include roof gardens, terraces, public viewing galleries, or other retail or leisure facilities to create attractive destinations for people to enjoy the City's spectacular skyline and views.

Shopfronts

Shopfronts should be of a high standard of design and appearance to create an attractive and welcoming retail and leisure experience on City streets. Inappropriate designs and alterations will be resisted. Shopfront proposals should: 1. Help to create active frontages, designed in ways that facilitate the visual and physical permeability of the building; 2. Respect the quality and architectural contribution of any existing shopfront; 3. Maintain the relationship between the shopfront, any fascia, the building and its context; 4. Use materials which are sympathetic to the wider context and are of high quality; 5. Ensure that signage is in appropriate locations and in proportion to the shopfront; 6. Take into account the impact of louvres, plant and access to refuse storage; 7. Consider the potential to use awnings and canopies to provide shade and mitigate against adverse climate impacts. Where they are provided, they should not harm the appearance of the shopfront, obstruct architectural features or views and should be in compliance with highway requirements; 8. Avoid external shutters and contain alternative security measures, where required; 9. Avoid opaque windows and provide retail displays which encourage browsing and passive surveillance; 10. Ensure that the design is inclusive incorporating level entrances and adequate door widths; and 11. Ensure that internal shop lighting does not create inappropriate light spillage into the public realm.

Advertisements

1. Advertising must be of a high standard of design, restrained in amount and in keeping with the character of the City. 2. Excessive or obtrusive advertising, inappropriate illuminated signs and the display of advertisements above ground floor level will be resisted. 3. Advertising flags and banners may be appropriate to support cultural institutions. 4. High quality temporary advertising associated with one-off events may be appropriate, where it would contribute to the vibrancy of the Square Mile and make a positive contribution to amenity and public safety.

Daylight and sunlight

1. Development proposals will be required to demonstrate that the daylight and sunlight available to nearby dwellings and other sensitive receptors including schools, hospitals, hotels and hostels, places of worship and open spaces, is appropriate for its context and provides acceptable standards of daylight and sunlight, taking account of the Building Research Establishment's guidelines. 2. Development proposals should have regard to the daylight and sunlight levels of historic interiors and should seek opportunities to improve daylight and sunlight levels where this would be achievable and appropriate. 3. The design of new developments should allow for the lighting needs of intended occupiers and provide acceptable levels of daylight and sunlight consistent with a city centre context, minimising the need for artificial lighting. 4. Development should incorporate design measures to mitigate adverse solar glare effects on surrounding buildings and public realm.

Lighting

1. Development should be designed in ways that consider the impacts of internal and external lighting and should include measures to reduce energy consumption, avoid spillage beyond where it is needed and protect the amenity of light-sensitive uses such as housing, hospitals, relevant open spaces and community uses. The design of lighting should be informed by the potential impacts on biodiversity, and should seek to make the City a safer and more welcoming place to be for all its communities after dark. 2. The external lighting of buildings should contribute positively to the unique character and – where relevant – grandeur of the City townscape by night. 3. External lighting of heritage assets within the City must be sympathetic to the building and the wider context in terms of tone and brightness. 4. Applications for major development and for lighting schemes should follow the submission requirements set out in the Lighting SPD (Lighting Strategy, Lighting Concept and Technical Lighting Design). All other applications should address how lighting has been considered as part of the submission.

Tall Buildings

1. Tall buildings are defined as buildings over 75m above Ordnance Datum (AOD). 2. The tall building areas identified on the Policies Map and Figure 14 are areas where tall buildings may be appropriate, subject to the requirements in this and other relevant policies. 3. The maximum permissible tall building heights within the identified tall building areas are depicted as contour rings on Policies Maps C and D and Figure 15. Tall buildings should not exceed the height of the relevant contour rings. In areas between the contour rings, tall buildings should be designed to successfully mediate between the contour ring heights and should not exceed the next higher contour. Tall buildings should not necessarily be designed to maximise height; instead they should be thoughtfully designed to create built form that contributes positively to the skyline and townscape character, creating a coherent cluster form and a varied and animated skyline, and should have architectural integrity. 4. The height and form of tall buildings must take account of strategic and local views. 5. The suitability of sites for tall buildings within the identified areas and their design, height, scale and massing should take into consideration local heritage assets and other localised factors relating to townscape character and microclimate. 6. Applicants will be required to submit accurate three-dimensional computer models to support the analysis of their proposals. Accurate Visual Representations (AVRs) should be submitted as part of the application. 7. Applicants will be required to ensure that any cross-boundary impacts of proposed schemes are fully addressed. 8. Tall buildings must have regard to: a. the potential effect on the City skyline, the wider London skyline and historic skyline features; b. the character and amenity of their surroundings, including the relationship with existing and consented tall buildings; c. the significance of heritage assets and their immediate and wider settings; d. the environmental impact on the surrounding buildings and public realm, including daylight and sunlight, solar glare, solar convergence, overshadowing and wind shear, and the capacity of the City's streets and spaces to accommodate the development. Consideration should be given to how the design of tall buildings can assist with the dispersal of air pollutants; e. The potential impact on telecommunications operations. Tall buildings should not interfere with telecommunications and provide appropriate mitigation where this is not feasible; 9. Tall buildings must not adversely affect the operation of London's airports, nor exceed the Civil Aviation Authority's maximum height limitation for tall buildings in central London. 10. The design of tall buildings must: a. achieve exemplar standard of architectural quality and sustainable and accessible building design; b. enhance the City skyline and views; c. provide adequate levels of daylight and sunlight within the new development; d. make a positive contribution to the townscape character; e. make a positive contribution to the quality of public realm, incorporate active frontages at ground floor and create a positive pedestrian experience; f. maintain adequate distance between buildings to ensure high quality experience at the street level; g. enhance permeability by providing the maximum feasible amount of publicly accessible open space at street level; h. incorporate publicly accessible open space within the building and its curtilage, including free to enter, publicly accessible elevated spaces at upper levels, which may include culture, retail, leisure or education facilities, open spaces including roof gardens or public viewing galleries; i. provide consolidation of servicing and deliveries to reduce potential vehicle movements; j. mitigate adverse impacts on the microclimate and amenity of the site and surrounding area and avoid the creation of building canyons; and k. demonstrate consideration of public safety requirements as part of the overall design.

Dispersal Routes

Applications for major commercial development and developments which propose night-time uses must include a Management Statement setting out detailed proposals for the dispersal of patrons and workers from premises to ensure the safe egress of all people, minimise the potential for over-crowding and reduce the instances of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour, particularly in residential areas and near noise sensitive uses and developments such as health facilities and schools.

Designing in Security

1. Security measures must be incorporated into the design of development at an early stage, taking account 'secured by design' principles, to avoid the need for later retrofitting and measures that would adversely impact on the public realm or the quality of design. Applicants must liaise with the City Corporation and the City of London Police and incorporate their advice into the scheme design as required. 2. Security measures should be designed within the development's boundaries and integrated with those of adjacent buildings and surrounding public realm. Area-wide approaches should be considered. 3. Where it is required, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) should be integrated into the design of the building. Development proposals should avoid the need for HVM on the public highway and public realm. In exceptional circumstances, where non-integrated HVM is shown to be necessary, consideration should be given to the use of trees, planters and benches to reduce its visual impact. Design and location of any HVM should ensure that public realm and pedestrian permeability is not adversely impacted, and should be designed to ensure an inclusive and accessible public realm. 4. Developers will be expected to contribute towards the cost of necessary and proportionate on-street mitigation of the risk of vehicle attacks in the vicinity of their developments, or within a wider area where area-based security measures are proposed. 5. Where mixed use schemes are proposed, developments must provide independent primary and secondary access points, ensuring that the proposed uses are separate and self-contained. 6. All security measures which are expected to be more than very short-term should take account of the functionality of the area and needs of its users and should be sympathetic to surrounding buildings, the public realm and any heritage assets, and must be of a high quality design. 7. An assessment of the environmental impact of security measures will be required. It should address the visual impact and impact on pedestrian flows. 8. Security and safety measures are incorporated into the design at an early stage to avoid the need to retro-fit measures that adversely impact on the public realm or the quality of design.

Tall Buildings

1. Tall buildings within the City of London are defined as buildings over 75m above Ordnance Datum (AOD). 2. The tall building areas identified on the Policies Map and Figure 14 are areas where tall buildings may be appropriate, subject to the requirements in this and other relevant policies. 3. The maximum permissible tall building heights within the identified tall building areas are depicted as contour rings on Policies Maps C and D and Figure 15. Tall buildings should not exceed the height of the relevant contour rings. In areas between the contour rings, tall buildings should be designed to successfully mediate between the contour ring heights and should not exceed the next higher contour. Tall buildings should not necessarily be designed to maximise height; instead they should be thoughtfully designed to create built form that contributes positively to the skyline and townscape character, creating a coherent cluster form and a varied and animated skyline, and should have architectural integrity. 4. The height and form of tall buildings must take account of strategic and local views. 5. The suitability of sites for tall buildings within the identified areas and their design, height, scale and massing should take into consideration local heritage assets and other localised factors relating to townscape character and microclimate. 6. Applicants will be required to submit accurate three-dimensional computer models to support the analysis of their proposals.

Design

The City Corporation will promote innovative, sustainable and inclusive high quality buildings, streets and spaces. Design solutions should make effective use of limited land and contribute towards vibrancy, inclusion, wellbeing and a greener, net zero carbon City, through development that: Sustainable design 1. Takes a 'retrofit first' approach, prioritising the retention and retrofit of existing buildings, informed by an appraisal of the development options; 2. Seeks opportunities to refurbish existing buildings, improving their environmental performance; 3. Minimises whole life-cycle carbon and contributes towards a net zero carbon City; 4. Delivers world class sustainable buildings that are adaptable and informed by circular economy principles and that treat materials as a resource; 5. Embeds climate resilience into design and contributes to the resilience of the Square Mile; and 6. Seeks opportunities to contribute to the wider sustainability of the City and (where relevant) neighbouring boroughs, especially where development would result in substantial carbon emissions. Form and Layout 7. Optimises site capacity, informed by the character of the area and its potential for growth; 8. Delivers buildings and spaces that have the right scale, massing, built form and layout, with due regard to the existing and emerging urban structure, building types, form and proportions identified in the Character Areas Study; 9. Optimises pedestrian movement by maximising permeability, providing external and where feasible internal pedestrian routes which are inclusive, welcoming, convenient, comfortable and attractive, enhancing the City's characteristic network of accessible buildings, streets, courts and alleys; and 10. Is pedestrian-focused, reducing conflict between pedestrian and vehicular traffic, creating a safe and attractive public realm, prioritising pedestrians and cyclists, whilst mitigating the impact of building servicing; Experience 11. Provides an appropriate mix of uses that contribute to the creation of a vibrant City; 12. Places people at the heart of design, creating buildings and spaces with a strong sense of belonging; 13. Optimises microclimatic conditions, addressing solar glare, daylight and sunlight, wind conditions and thermal comfort and delivers improvements in air quality, open space and views; 14. Delivers street level building frontages which are active, public-facing, usable, permeable, interesting, well-detailed and appropriately lit, delivering suitable levels of passive surveillance; 15. Optimises the amount and connectivity of green infrastructure and, biodiversity and public amenity space and urban greening, and provides these in ways that are integral to the architecture and site design; 16. Delivers inclusive buildings, streets and spaces that meet the access needs of all the City's communities irrespective of background or circumstance; 17. Delivers publicly accessible space within the development by maximising the amount of accessible, inclusive and free to enter open spaces, roof terraces, cultural offers and other spaces, including in tall buildings and along the river and around City landmarks; 18. Supports health and wellbeing within the City's communities; and 19. Is informed by early and meaningful stakeholder engagement, proportionate to the scale and type of development proposed. Quality and character 20. Delivers high quality design, which is visually interesting, well-proportioned and well-detailed and conserves and enhances the townscape character and appearance of the City, and its historic environment, and takes into account cross boundary impacts of the neighbouring boroughs; 21. Incorporates sustainability measures and other plant and building services into a coherent architectural design; 22. Considers lighting as an integral part of the design process, ensuring that internal and external lighting provides the right light in the right place at the right time; 23. Incorporates signage of an appropriate siting, size, form, appearance and illumination within the building's architecture; 24. Incorporates necessary security and safety measures as an integral part of the design; and 25. Ensures that the building design concept is maintained from permission through to completion of a project.

Office Development

1. Office development should: a. Prioritise the retrofitting of existing buildings; b. Be of an outstanding design and an exemplar of sustainability; c. Be designed for future flexibility to future proof the City's office stock and realise the principles of circular economy design approaches; d. Provide office floorspace suitable for a range of occupiers; e. Provide healthy and inclusive working environments that promote wellbeing; and f. Where appropriate, provide a proportion of flexible and affordable workspace suitable for micro, SMEs. 2. Other commercial uses will be encouraged as part of office-led development, particularly at ground and basement levels, where such uses would not compromise the operation of office premises, would activate streets and provide supporting services for businesses, workers and residents.

Protection of Existing Office Floorspace

1. The loss of existing office floorspace will be resisted unless it can be demonstrated that: a. The proposed development would not lead to the loss of office floorspace that is, or sites that are, of a strategically important scale, type and/or location for the City; b. The proposed development would not compromise the potential for office development on sites within the vicinity; and c. There is no demand in the office market, supported by marketing evidence covering a period of no less than 12 months. 2. Where the criteria in part 1 of this policy have been met, proposals that would lead to the loss of existing office floorspace may follow one of the following routes: a. Viability tested route: Proposed development will be required to demonstrate that the retention, refurbishment or reprovision of the office floorspace would not be viable in the longer term, demonstrated by a viability assessment; b. Retrofit fast track: Proposed development will be required to retain the substantial majority of the superstructure of the existing building, lead to an improvement in the environmental performance of the building, and result in change of use to (one or a mix of) hotel use, cultural uses, and/or educational use. Partial retention of office floorspace will be encouraged; c. Residential areas route: the loss of office floorspace is proposed on a site within or immediately adjacent to identified residential areas and would result in the provision of additional housing; d. Ground floor uses: the loss of office floorspace would be limited to ground or below ground levels, and proposed new uses would be complementary to continued office use on upper floors. Active frontage uses will be required at ground floor levels in most instances.

Liverpool Street

The City Corporation will enhance the Moorgate-Liverpool Street area to take advantage of the opportunities presented by good public transport accessibility, the opening of the Elizabeth Line, restoration of Finsbury Circus and the redevelopment and refurbishment of Broadgate by: 1. Accommodating the increased footfall by maintaining and enhancing walking routes within, to and from the area, including routes to the City Cluster; 2. Providing active frontages at the ground floor level to animate and add vibrancy to the area; 3. Providing a welcoming visitor experience with improved wayfinding and signposting that reflects the area's position as a key gateway to the City; 4. Encouraging the development of flexible office space to meet the needs of future offices occupiers and potential start-ups, allowing for business growth in a variety of sectors; 5. Encouraging development that provides opportunities for collaborative working between businesses in this area, Tech City, the creative sector and educational institutions to create an attractive and vibrant business eco-system; 6. Supporting retail development in the Moorgate/Liverpool Street Principal Shopping Centre and encouraging the extension of retail and leisure activities into the evenings and weekends, diversifying the retail and leisure offer and creating a shopping and leisure destination to draw a diverse range of audiences; 7. Enhancing the public realm and walking routes to Petticoat Lane Market, working in partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and the links to Whitecross Street and Spitalfields markets; 8. Delivering a high quality public realm with additional publicly accessible open space and increased greenery alongside biodiversity improvements; 9. Improving pedestrian routes in and around the bus station and enhancing the user experience through provision of seating, legible wayfinding and ease of access; 10. Improving the overall user experience and supporting improvements to the accessibility and capacity of Liverpool Street Station, including enhancing step free access and improving entry points; and 11. Improving the safety and capacity of pedestrian routes around Moorgate and Liverpool Street Elizabeth Line stations, and between the stations and key destinations, including Tech City and the City Cluster.

Offices

The City Corporation will facilitate significant growth in office development of the highest quality to meet projected economic and employment growth by: 1. Increasing the City's office floorspace stock by a minimum of 1,200,000 m2 net during the period 2021 to 2040, phased as follows: - 2021 – 2026: 500,000m2 - 2026 – 2031: 400,000m2 - 2031 – 2036: 200,000m2 - 2036 – 2040: 100,000m2 2. Ensuring that new floorspace is designed to be flexible to allow the transformation and adaptation of space to support new uses, different layouts and configurations, different types and sizes of occupiers, and to meet the needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), start-up companies, creative industries and those requiring move-on accommodation. 3. Promoting the retrofitting of existing office buildings for office use and upgrades to their environmental performance and the quality of accommodation. 4. Where appropriate, encouraging the provision of affordable office workspace that allows small and growing businesses the opportunity to take up space within the City. 5. Protecting existing office stock from being lost to other uses where there is an identified need or where the loss would cause harm to the primary business function of the City. Where necessary, conditions may be attached to permissions for new office floorspace to secure its long-term use for such purposes.

Contaminated land and water quality

Where development involves ground works or the creation of open spaces, developers will be expected to carry out a detailed site investigation to establish whether the site is contaminated and to determine the potential for pollution of the water environment or harm to human health and non-human receptors. Suitable mitigation must be identified to remediate any contaminated land and prevent potential adverse impacts of the development on human and non-human receptors, land or water quality.

Protection and provision of open spaces

The quantity, quality and accessibility of public open space will be maintained and improved. 1. Existing open space will be protected and enhanced. Any loss of existing open space should be wholly exceptional and it must be replaced on redevelopment by open space of equal or improved quantity and quality on or near the site. The loss of historic open spaces will be resisted; 2. Additional publicly accessible open space and pedestrian routes will be sought in major developments, particularly in and near to areas of open space deficiency, in areas such as the riverside where it is a key component of placemaking, and where pedestrian modelling shows significant pressure on City streets; 3. Further open spaces will be created from underused highways and on development sites where feasible. Wherever possible, existing private spaces will be secured as publicly accessible open spaces as part of development; 4. Improvements to the accessibility, inclusion, design, greening, lighting and biodiversity of existing open spaces will be promoted and, where relevant, secured through development; and 5. Open spaces must be designed to meet the requirements of all the City's communities. They should be free, accessible, welcoming and inclusive. The design of open spaces should consider their context and how their use could contribute positively to the life of the Square Mile. This should include consideration of how seating, planting, lighting, and routes are designed and located; the potential for water features and noise attenuation; and opportunities for play, sport, recreation and leisure, taking into account likely users of the space. 6. The provision of public drinking fountains in open spaces will be encouraged.

Urban Greening

1. The provision of urban greening should be integral to the design and layout of buildings and the public realm. a. All development proposals will be required to demonstrate the highest feasible levels of greening consistent with good design and the local context; b. The installation of biodiverse extensive or intensive green roofs, terraces and green walls will be sought, where appropriate, and new development should not compromise these elements on existing buildings located nearby; and c. The loss of green walls and roofs, in whole or in part, will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. 2. Major development proposals will be required to: a. Include an Urban Greening Factor (UGF) calculation demonstrating how the development will meet the City's target UGF score of 0.3 as a minimum; and b. Submit an operation and maintenance plan to demonstrate that the green features will be maintained and remain successful throughout the life of the building.

Sustainable Waste Facilities and Transport

All development proposals should incorporate waste facilities, which must be integrated into the design of buildings and allow for separate treatment, storage and off-road collection of waste and recyclable materials, where feasible. Major developments should provide a single waste collection point to facilitate efficient waste management from multi tenanted buildings. The environmental impact of waste transport will be minimised through: 1. Encouraging the use of rail and waterways for removal of waste, including deconstruction waste and delivery of construction materials; 2. Ensuring maximum use of rail and waterways for the transport of excavation waste particularly from major infrastructure projects; 3. Requiring low and zero emissions transport modes for waste movement; 4. Reducing the number of waste vehicles by promoting optimum use of waste transport vehicle capacity through on-site or multi-site consolidation of waste.

New waste management sites

1. Proposals for new facilities for waste management, handling and transfer will be required to demonstrate through design and Sustainability Statements that the benefits of the proposed development outweigh any adverse impacts and particularly that: a. the development will handle waste which has been generated locally; b. access arrangements, mode of transport and transport routes will minimise the potential for congestion and environmental impacts, including local air quality impacts and carbon emissions. Use of the river for transport of waste and recyclables will be encouraged; c. the carbon impact of the development will be minimised. New waste facilities generating energy from waste should comply with the Mayor's Carbon Intensity Floor (CIF); and d. the development is resilient to natural and man-made safety and security challenges. 2. Noise-sensitive development adjacent to the existing waste site at Walbrook Wharf, and development that would compromise the use of the river for waste operations, will be resisted. 3. Development in the vicinity of new waste management sites should not compromise the waste management operations on the site or create an unacceptable land use conflict.

Overheating and Urban Heat Island Effect

1. Developers will be required to demonstrate that their developments have been designed to reduce the risk of overheating through: a. solar shading to prevent solar gain, particularly on glazed facades; b. urban greening to improve evaporative cooling; c. passive ventilation and heat recovery; d. use of thermal mass to moderate temperature fluctuations; e. minimal reliance on energy intensive cooling systems. 2. Building designs should minimise any contribution to the urban heat island effect.

Flood Risk

All development within the City flood risk area, and major development elsewhere, must be accompanied by a site-specific flood risk assessment demonstrating that: 1. the site is suitable for the intended use, in accordance with the sequential and exception tests (see tables 4 and 5) and with Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authority advice; 2. the development will be safe for occupants and visitors and will not compromise the safety of other premises or increase the risk of flooding elsewhere; 3. safe access and egress routes are identified; and 4. flood resistance and resilience have been designed into the proposal.

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)

1. All development, transportation and public realm proposals must incorporate SuDS principles and be designed to minimise the volume and discharge rate of rainwater run-off into the combined drainage network in the City, ensuring that rainwater is managed as close as possible to the development. 2. The design of the surface water drainage system should be integrated into the design of proposed buildings and landscaping, unless there are exceptional circumstances which make this impractical. Proposals should demonstrate that run-off rates are as close as possible to greenfield rates and the number of discharge points has been minimised. 3. SuDS designs must take account of the City's archaeological and other heritage assets, complex underground utilities, transport infrastructure and other underground structures, incorporating suitable SuDS elements for the City's high density urban situation. 4. SuDS should be designed, where possible, to maximise contributions to water resource efficiency, water quality, biodiversity enhancement and the provision of multifunctional open spaces. 5. An operation and maintenance plan will be required to ensure that the SuDS elements will remain viable for the lifetime of the building.

Flood protection and flood defences

1. Development must protect the integrity and effectiveness of structures intended to minimise flood risk and, where appropriate, enhance their effectiveness. 2. Wherever practicable, development should contribute to an overall reduction in flood risk within and beyond the site boundaries, incorporating flood alleviation measures for the public realm.

Air quality

1. Developers will be required to effectively manage the impact of their proposals on air quality. Major developments must comply with the requirements of the Air Quality SPD for Air Quality Impact Assessments (AQIAs); 2. Development that would result in a worsening of the City's nitrogen dioxide or PM10 and PM2.5 pollution levels will be strongly resisted; 3. All developments must be at least Air Quality Neutral. Developments subject to an EIA should adopt an air quality positive approach. Major developments must maximise credits for the pollution section of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) assessment relating to on-site emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx); 4. Developers will be expected to install non-combustion energy technology where available; 5. A detailed AQIA will be required for combustion based low carbon technologies (e.g. biomass, combined heat and power), and any necessary mitigation must be approved by the City Corporation; 6. Developments that include uses that are more vulnerable to air pollution, such as schools, nurseries, medical facilities and residential development, will be refused if the occupants would be exposed to poor air quality. Developments will need to ensure acceptable air quality through appropriate design, layout, landscaping and technological solutions; 7. Construction and deconstruction and the transport of construction materials and waste must be carried out in such a way as to minimise air quality impacts to the fullest extent posible. Impacts from these activities must be addressed within submitted AQIAs. All developments should comply with the requirements of the London Low Emission Zone for Non Road Mobile Machinery; 8. Air intake points should be located away from existing and potential pollution sources (e.g. busy roads and combustion flues). All combustion flues should terminate above the roof height of the tallest part of the development to ensure maximum dispersion of pollutants and be at least 3 metres away from any publicly accessible roof spaces.

Noise

1. A noise assessment will be required where there may be an impact on noise-sensitive uses. The layout, orientation, design and use of buildings should ensure that operational noise does not adversely affect nearby land uses, particularly noise-sensitive land uses such as housing, hospitals, schools, nurseries and quiet open spaces. New noise-generating development should include suitable mitigation measures such as noise attenuation or restrictions on operating hours. 2. Any potential noise pollution conflict between existing activities and new development should be minimised, in line with the 'agent of change' principle. 3. Noise and vibration from deconstruction and construction activities must be minimised and mitigation measures put in place to limit noise disturbance near development. Developers will be required to demonstrate that there will be no increase in background noise levels associated with new plant and equipment. 4. Opportunities will be sought to incorporate improvements to the acoustic environment within major development. 5. When bringing forward major development proposals, developers should explore opportunities to enhance the existing acoustic environment.

Biodiversity

Development should incorporate measures to enhance biodiversity, including: 1. Retention, protection and enhancement of habitats within Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), including the River Thames; 2. Measures recommended in the City of London Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in relation to particular species or habitats and action plans; 3. Green roofs, gardens and terraces, soft landscaping and trees and green walls where appropriate; 4. Helping to create green corridors and biodiversity links and utilising roof terraces and gardens as stepping stones to contribute towards a green network; 5. Wildlife-friendly features, such as nesting or roosting boxes and nesting opportunities for wild bees and other pollinators; 6. Planting mix with a variety of vegetation types including flower-rich perennial planting to encourage biodiversity, supporting pollinators and other invertebrate groups; 7. Planting which will be resilient to a range of climate conditions, with a high proportion of native plants and the provision of year-round forage for pollinators; 8. A lighting scheme designed to minimise impacts on biodiversity.

Biodiversity Net Gain

Major developments are required to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) to protect and enhance biodiversity through the following measures: 1. Meeting the City Corporation's BNG target score of achieving a minimum of three biodiversity units per hectare (BU/ha); 2. Providing the biodiversity value of the site pre-development and post-development after applying the mitigation hierarchy; Information on habitats of known value to biodiversity to be incorporated and maximised on-site, 3. Prioritising and seeking to achieve onsite delivery of the BNG target. Offsite provision should be a last resort. If it is not feasible to achieve the target score onsite then offsite provision will be required, for any shortfall with preference given to schemes that help with the delivery of wider City of London Corporation policies and strategies, through the use of nature-based solutions and maximising opportunities for local nature recovery; 4. Providing the following information: a. A Biodiversity Gain Plan (BGP) should be submitted and approved prior to the commencement of the development and include the statutory Biodiversity Metric (BM) calculation tools and setting out the enhancements that will be incorporated on-site to meet the BNG score, secured through condition prior to commencement of the development; b. A Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) setting out maintenance, management and monitoring of enhancements and the post-development biodiversity values of the site, secured through condition prior to commencement.

Trees

The City Corporation will seek to increase the number of trees and their overall canopy cover by: 1. Requiring the retention of existing mature and semi-mature trees and encouraging additional tree planting to be integrated into the design and layout of developments and public realm improvements where appropriate; 2. Protecting trees which are subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and designating new TPOs where necessary to protect trees of high amenity value; 3. Other than in exceptional circumstances, only permitting the removal of existing trees which are dead, dying or dangerous. Where trees are removed, requiring their replacement with trees that can attain an equivalent value; 4. Ensuring that existing trees located on or adjacent to development sites are considered during the planning process and are protected from damage during construction works; and 5. Promoting tree planting to provide a diverse range of tree species, including large-canopy trees wherever practicable, especially in places that would contribute to the green routes set out in Figure 18. 6. Ensuring tree species are consistent with the Climate Action Strategy and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), and promote habitats and forage for target species, especially pollinators.

Open Spaces and Green Infrastructure

The City Corporation will work in partnership with developers, landowners, the churches and other agencies to promote a greener City by: 1. Protecting existing open and green space; 2. Seeking the provision of new open and green space through development, public realm or transportation improvements; 3. Increasing public access to existing and new open spaces; 4. Creating, maintaining and encouraging high quality green infrastructure; 5. Using planting and habitat creation to enhance biodiversity, combat the impacts of climate change and improve air quality; 6. Promoting the greening of the City through new development opportunities and refurbishments; 7. Ensuring new development and refurbishment protect and enhance the City's biodiversity; and 8. Ensuring that the provision of new and enhanced open space, biodiversity and urban greening takes account of and contributes toward the green corridors identified in Figure 18 and the City Corporation's Biodiversity Action Plan.

Open Spaces and Green Infrastructure

The City Corporation will work in partnership with developers, landowners, the churches and other agencies to promote a greener City by: 1. Protecting existing open and green space; 2. Seeking the provision of new open and green space through development, public realm or transportation improvements; 3. Increasing public access to existing and new open spaces; 4. Creating, maintai

Climate Resilience and Flood Risk

Buildings and the public realm must be designed to be adaptable to future climate conditions and resilient to more frequent extreme weather events. 1. Development must minimise the risk of overheating and any adverse contribution to the urban heat island effect; 2. Development must avoid placing people or essential infrastructure at increased risk from river, surface water, sewer or groundwater flooding; 3. Flood defence structures must be safeguarded and enhanced to maintain protection from sea level rise; and 4. Development should contribute towards making the City more resilient and should seek opportunities to integrate into wider climate resilience measures in the City.

Circular Economy and Waste

1. The City Corporation will support businesses and residents in moving towards a Zero Waste City, by applying circular economy principles, the waste hierarchy and the proximity principle at all stages of the development cycle. 2. The City Corporation will actively co-operate with other Waste Planning Authorities (WPAs) in planning for capacity to manage the City's residual waste through: a. Identifying waste management capacity in the City, or elsewhere in London, to meet the City's London Plan waste apportionment target, including through partnership working with other London WPAs; b. Co-operating with WPAs within and beyond London to plan for suitable facilities for the City's waste; c. Safeguarding Walbrook Wharf as a waste site and wharf suitable for the river transport of waste; and d. Monitoring waste movements to and from the City and reviewing its waste arisings and capacity study at least every five years.

Thames Policy Area

The unique character of the City's riverside, and its uses for transport and recreation, will be enhanced by: 1. Ensuring that buildings and spaces on or near the riverside contribute to sustainable economic growth and further the aims of the City of London Riverside Strategy and Riverside Walk Enhancement Strategy, particularly through: a. protecting and enhancing permanent public access and river views along the Riverside Walk; b. improving access to the River Thames by enhancing north-south routes and the widening of the Riverside Walk; c. maximising opportunities for public open space along the riverfront and seeking public realm improvements and increased permeability to the north of the Riverside Walk; d. improving the vibrancy of the riverside by requiring new development to provide active frontages where appropriate; e. encouraging a mix of commercial and cultural uses and promoting office-led commercial development, while safeguarding heritage assets and biodiversity value; and f. provision of publicly accessible roof terraces, where they do not impact adversely on protected views, the amenity of occupiers or nearby residents. 2. Supporting, and safeguarding land for, the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. 3. Promoting the use of the River Thames and its environs for transport, navigation and recreation, particularly through: a. safeguarding Walbrook Wharf for waste and river related freight traffic, including freight consolidation; b. encouraging the use of the River Thames for the transport of construction and deconstruction materials and waste; c. retaining Blackfriars Pier, and access to Tower Pier, and encouraging the reinstatement of Swan Lane Pier and the use of these facilities for river transport. Applications to remove these facilities will be refused unless suitable replacement facilities of an equivalent or higher standard are provided; d. refusing development on or over the River Thames, except for structures that specifically require a waterside location for river-related uses; e. resisting the permanent mooring of vessels; and f. maintaining and enhancing access points to the River Thames foreshore, from both land and water, for public or private use as appropriate, subject to health and safety and environmental safeguards. 4. Ensuring that development does not have an adverse effect on the River Thames and Tidal Tributaries Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation (SMINC) and seeking opportunities to create or enhance riverside habitats.

Managing Change to the Historic Environment

Development proposals that affect heritage assets or their settings should be supported by a Statement of Heritage Significance and a Heritage Impact Assessment. It should be ensured any impacts of the proposals on the significance of heritage assets or their settings have been fully assessed and understood. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets' importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. Proposals should meet the following criteria: 1. Development should preserve and where possible enhance and better reveal the special architectural or historic interest and the significance of heritage assets and their settings; 2. There will be a presumption against heritage harm and development causing harm to, or total loss of, the significance of designated heritage assets will be refused unless it is clearly demonstrated that the heritage and/or wider public benefits outweigh that harm or loss. Applicants should clearly demonstrate that all reasonable efforts have been made to sustain the existing use, find new appropriate uses, or mitigate the extent of the harm to the significance of the asset; and whether the works proposed are the minimum required to secure the long-term use of the asset; 3. Change of use to heritage assets should be consistent with their long-term conservation and should help to retain and enhance the asset, particularly those which have been identified at risk; 4. Development should not cause the loss of routes and spaces that contribute to the character and historic interest of the City. The reinstatement of historic routes and the creation of new routes will be sought; 5. Where proposals would result in harm to, or the loss of, a non-designated heritage asset, the City Corporation will have regard to the scale of any harm or loss, the significance of the heritage asset and the wider public benefits proposed; 6. Development in conservation areas should preserve, and where possible, enhance and better reveal the character, appearance and significance of the conservation area and its setting. The buildings and features that contribute to the character, appearance, setting or significance of a conservation area should be conserved and opportunities to enhance conservation areas should be considered; 7. Development should preserve, and where possible, enhance and better reveal the significance, character and appearance of the City's registered historic parks, gardens and open spaces and should protect their settings and views from and towards these spaces; 8. Development in the defined immediate setting of Bevis Marks Synagogue and The Monument should preserve, and where possible, enhance the elements of setting that contribute to the significance of these heritage assets; and, 9. Development should encourage the appreciation of the City's historic roofscapes and should not impact the setting of an asset from high-level locations.

Ancient Monuments and Archaeology

1. The City Corporation will preserve, protect, safeguard and enhance archaeological monuments, remains and their settings, seeking enhancement, inclusive access to, public display and interpretation where appropriate. 2. Development proposals which involve excavation or works affecting sites of archaeological potential must be accompanied by an archaeological assessment and evaluation of the site, addressing the impact of the proposed development, mitigation of harm and identification of enhancement opportunities. 3. Significant, substantive archaeological features on major development sites must be preserved in-situ and, where feasible, exposed to public view. Significant archaeological artefacts on major development sites must be retained and exhibited on site. Where it can be demonstrated that found archaeological features or artefacts are of lesser significance or substance, proper investigation and recording of archaeological remains will be required as an integral part of a development programme, including timely publication and archiving of results to advance understanding.

Setting of the Tower of London World Heritage Site

1. Development proposals affecting the setting of the Tower of London World Heritage Site should preserve and seek to enhance the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), architectural and historic significance, authenticity and integrity of the Tower of London World Heritage Site. Applicants will be required to submit a Heritage Impact Assessment along with the planning application. 2. Development proposals within the defined Local Setting Area of the Tower of London World Heritage Site should seek opportunities to enhance the immediate surroundings of the World Heritage Site, through improvements to the public realm and connectivity. 3. Development proposals in the vicinity of the Tower of London World Heritage Site will be encouraged to enhance pedestrian and cycle routes, including signage and wayfinding in the area that is appropriate and contributes to the importance of setting of the Tower by improving its public accessibility and visibility.

The Temple

The City Corporation will continue to support the unique functions of the Inner and Middle Temples as places of education and training and providers of common and collegiate facilities for barristers and students, including providing professional accommodation for barristers. Development in the Temple area that supports these functions, including improvements to the accessibility of buildings, will be supported. Opportunities to enhance and create additional greening and open spaces that enhance the historic character of the Temple will be encouraged. Within the Temple, adjustments between professional and residential accommodation will be permitted where it is important to the functioning or character of the Temple, or to the continuing use of their buildings.

Historic Environment

The City's historic environment will be protected, celebrated and positively managed by: 1. Celebrating the City's heritage for its contribution to the quality of life and promoting public enjoyment of, and access to, heritage assets; 2. Conserving and enhancing heritage assets and their settings; opportunities will be sought for development proposals to make a positive contribution to, and better reveal the significance of, heritage assets and reflect and enhance local character and distinctiveness; 3. Seeking wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits by: a. placing heritage at the heart of placemaking and delivering high quality buildings and spaces which enrich and enhance the settings of heritage assets; b. encouraging the beneficial, continued use of heritage assets through sensitive adaptation that is consistent with their conservation and enhancement, including those on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register; c. encouraging heritage-led regeneration by identifying opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character and identity of the place; d. encouraging sensitive sustainable retrofit of designated as well as non-designated heritage assets and improvements that would benefit climate resilience and adaptation; e. encouraging sites adjacent to and near heritage assets to work collaboratively with owners and operators of heritage assets to seek improvements to environmental performance, accessibility or other aspects of the functioning of heritage assets that are challenging to address; f. Seeking enhanced public access and interpretation of the City's cultural and heritage assets, ensuring that opportunities to experience and enjoy the City's heritage and culture is available to a wide and diverse audience in a way that is socially and economically inclusive; 4. Protecting and promoting the assessment and evaluation of the City's ancient monuments and archaeological remains and their settings, including the interpretation, archiving and publication of archaeological investigations; and 5. Preserving and seeking to enhance the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), architectural and historic significance, authenticity and integrity of the Tower of London World Heritage Site and its setting.

Protected Views

The City Corporation will protect and enhance significant City and strategic London views of important buildings, townscape and skylines by: 1. Implementing the Mayor of London's London View Management Framework SPG to manage designated views of strategically important landmarks (St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London), river prospects, townscape views and linear views; 2. Protecting and enhancing significant local views of St. Paul's Cathedral, through the City Corporation's St. Paul's Heights code and local views from the Fleet Street, Ludgate Circus and Ludgate Hill processional route; the setting and backdrop to the Cathedral; significant local views of and from the Monument and views of historic City landmarks and skyline features; 3. Securing an appropriate setting of and backdrop to the Tower of London World Heritage Site, ensuring its Outstanding Universal Value and taking account of the Tower of London World Heritage Site Management Plan (2016); and 4. Having regard to views of the City that have been designated by other Local Planning Authorities.

Smithfield

The City Corporation will protect and enhance the distinctive mixed-use and historic character of Smithfield by: 1. Supporting the continued presence of St. Bartholomew's Hospital; 2. Supporting the continued presence of Smithfield Market in the short to medium term; 3. Encouraging the future sensitive re-use of the Smithfield Market buildings, should the market relocate, requiring a world class design solution that delivers a mix of uses that celebrate and are appropriate to its sensitive heritage character, and that provide inclusive public access to the buildings; 4. Supporting the relocation of the Museum of London to Smithfield; 5. Further enhancing the distinctive character of the Smithfield area by retaining existing buildings, and encouraging appropriate new development, suitable for accommodating a mix of uses; 6. Managing the particular challenges which result from the late evening, 7 day a week character of the area; 7. Resisting residential development adjacent to the current market site or future Museum of London in order to minimise potential adverse impacts on residential amenity; 8. Promoting a retail and leisure economy that complements and contributes to the changing uses in the area and supports the establishment of Smithfield as a leisure destination; 9. Ensuring new activities and developments contribute to a reduction in freight and vehicular movements, whilst not adversely impacting the operation of businesses and amenity of residents; and 10. Providing for, and supporting, improved pedestrian permeability and the creation of new and enhanced public realm across the area to accommodate cultural activity and increased pedestrian flows arising from the Elizabeth Line and potential new uses in the existing market buildings.

Housing supply

1. New residential development will be focused in and around the identified residential areas shown in Figure 3. Residential development will not normally be permitted outside these areas except where it meets an identified specialist housing need. 2. Residential development will not normally be permitted where it would: a. Result in the net loss of office floorspace which conflicts with the strategic requirements of Policy OF2; b. Inhibit the development potential or business activity in neighbouring commercial buildings and sites; or c. Result in poor residential amenity within existing and proposed development, including excessive noise or disturbance. 3. Where existing residential estates are being redeveloped, an increased number of residential units will be expected, and the existing affordable housing on-site must be re-provided with at least the equivalent floorspace and tenure of affordable housing. Affordable housing which is re-provided must be offered to existing tenants at rents and service charges equivalent to those in the properties being replaced.

Loss of housing

The net loss of existing housing units, including the amalgamation of residential units, will not be permitted except where: 1. They provide poor amenity to residents which cannot be improved; or 2. They do not have a separate entrance; or 3. Exceptionally, they are located outside identified residential areas and their loss would enable beneficial development for the business City.

Residential environment

The amenity of existing residents will be protected by resisting uses that would cause unacceptable disturbance from noise, fumes and smells and vehicle or pedestrian movements. 1. New noise-generating uses should be sited away from residential uses where possible. Where residential and other uses are located within the same development or area, adequate noise mitigation measures must be provided within the new development and, where required, planning conditions will be imposed to protect residential amenity; 2. All development proposals should be designed to minimise overlooking and seek to protect the privacy, daylighting and sunlighting levels to adjacent residential accommodation. Light spill from development that could affect residential areas should be minimised, in line with policy DE8; 3. The cumulative impact of planning applications for individual developments on the amenity of existing residents will be considered.

Housing quality standards

All new housing must be of a high quality design and of a standard that facilitates the health and wellbeing of occupants and neighbouring occupants, and: 1. Meets London Plan housing space standards, including outdoor space standards and amenity space for individual units; 2. Meets standards for Secured by Design or similar certification; 3. Maximises opportunities for providing communal open and leisure space for residents;

Short term residential letting

1. Short-term letting of permanent residential premises for over 90 days in a calendar year will not normally be permitted as it would reduce the stock of permanent housing in the City and may adversely impact the amenity of existing residents. 2. Short term letting to provide residential accommodation for commercial purposes will not be permitted unless the units are contained within a separate building and will not be permitted if mixed with permanent residential accommodation. 3. Where short term residential letting is permitted for commercial purposes, conditions will be imposed to prevent any later changes to permanent residential use in unsuitable accommodation or locations.

Student accommodation and hostels

1. Proposals for new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and hostels should support the City of London's primary business function and the vibrancy of the Square Mile. They will only be permitted where: a. They would meet high standards of design and amenity for occupants; b. There are appropriate amenities for occupants in the local area; c. They are well connected to relevant further or higher education institutions; d. They would not prejudice the primary business function of the City, or result in the loss of suitably located and viable office floorspace, contrary to Policy OF2; e. They would not have an adverse impact on the residential amenity of the area; and f. They would not involve the loss of permanent residential accommodation. 2. Proposals for PBSA should be supported by identified further or higher educational institutions.

Location of New Housing

1. New housing will be encouraged on suitable sites in or near identified residential areas. Within these areas a mix of residential, commercial, community, cultural and other uses will be permitted. 2. New housing must not: a. Prejudice the primary business function of the City. Where proposed development would result in the loss of office floorspace it must meet the requirements of Policy OF2; b. Inhibit the development potential or business activity in neighbouring commercial buildings and sites; or c. Result in poor residential amenity within existing and proposed development, including excessive noise or disturbance. 3. Where existing residential estates are being redeveloped, an increased number of residential units will be expected, and the existing affordable housing on-site must be re-provided with at least the equivalent floorspace and tenure of affordable housing. Affordable housing which is re-provided must be offered to existing tenants at rents and service charges equivalent to those in the properties being replaced.

Student accommodation and hostels

1. Proposals for new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and hostels should support the City of London's primary business function and the vibrancy of the Square Mile. They will only be permitted where: a. They would meet high standards of design and amenity for occupants; b. There are appropriate amenities for occupants in the local area; c. They are well connected to relevant further or higher education institutions; d. They would not prejudice the primary business function of the City, or result in the loss of suitably located and viable office floorspace, contrary to Policy OF2; e. They would not have an adverse impact on the residential amenity of the area; and f. They would not involve the loss of permanent residential accommodation. 2. Proposals for PBSA should be supported by identified further or higher educational institutions operating in the City of London or the CAZ. 3. 35% of student accommodation on a site should be secured as affordable student accommodation as defined through the London Plan and associated guidance. 4. The loss of existing student accommodation and hostels to other suitable uses which are in accordance with Local Plan policies will be permitted where there is no longer a need to provide accommodation for CAZ based universities or there is evidence that student accommodation is impacting on residential or business amenity.

Older persons housing

1. The City Corporation will aim to ensure there is a sufficient supply of appropriate housing available for older people by: 2. Seeking to provide a minimum of 86 net additional dwellings for older persons between 2023 and 2040 supporting development that meets the specific needs of older people; 3. Supporting development that replaces existing provision for older people with better provision that addresses care needs or fosters independent living; 4. Ensuring new development is inclusive and accessible to all to allow people to continue living in their own homes; and 5. Resisting development that involves the net loss of housing for older people.

Self and custom housebuilding

The City Corporation will encourage the provision of self and custom build units within large residential schemes.

Housing

The City Corporation will protect existing housing and amenity and encourage additional housing concentrated in or near the identified residential areas to meet the City's needs by: 1. Making provision for a minimum of 1,706 net additional dwellings between 2025/26 and 2039/40: a. Encouraging new housing development on appropriate sites in or near identified residential areas; b. Within identified residential areas, prioritising the delivery of affordable housing, co-living, build to rent, hostels, sheltered and extra-care housing, while recognising that for sale market housing would be likely in some instances to have a role to play in making housing development viable; c. Protecting existing housing where it is of a suitable quality and in a suitable location; d. Exceptionally, allowing the loss of isolated residential units where there is a poor level of amenity; and e. Refusing new housing where it would prejudice the primary business function of the City or be contrary to Policy OF2. 2. Ensuring sufficient affordable housing is provided to meet the City's housing need and contributing to London's wider housing needs by: a. ensuring the delivery of a minimum of 50% affordable housing on public sector land; b. requiring residential developments with the potential for 10 or more units to provide a minimum of 35% affordable housing on-site. Exceptionally, new affordable housing may be provided off-site, or through an equivalent cash in lieu payment, if evidence is provided to the City Corporation's satisfaction that on-site provision cannot be satisfactorily delivered and is not viable; and c. providing an appropriate mix of affordable tenures, addressing identified need in the City of London, including social or London affordable rented housing and intermediate housing (living rent, shared ownership or other genuinely affordable products) for rent or sale. 3. Requiring a publicly accessible viability and feasibility assessment to be submitted to justify any proposals that do not meet on-site or off-site affordable housing requirements in this policy. Where policy targets are not able to be met when an application is decided, the City Corporation will require an upwards only review mechanism to be applied to ensure that the benefits of any subsequent uplift in values or reduction in costs are reflected in affordable housing contributions. 4. Ensuring that other new land uses within identified residential areas are compatible with residential amenity. 5. Requiring at least 10% of new dwellings to meet Building Regulation requirement M4(3) 'wheelchair user dwellings' and all other new dwellings to meet Building Regulation requirement M4(2) 'accessible and adaptable dwellings'.

Infrastructure provision and connection

1. Utility infrastructure and connections must be designed into and integrated with the development. The following infrastructure requirements should be planned for: a. Electricity, gas and water supply necessary for the operation of the intended use and during the construction period. Account should be taken of the need to conserve resources and deliver energy and water efficient buildings to minimise future demands. Temporary building supply for the construction phase should be identified in conjunction with electricity providers including the estimated load capacity, substations and route for supply; b. Heating and cooling demand and viability of provision. Designs should incorporate connections to existing decentralised energy networks where feasible; c. Digital and telecommunications network demand, including full fibre wired and wireless infrastructure in line with the Mayor of London's 'Wired Score' connectivity rating or equivalent, planning for dual entry through communal entry chambers and flexibility to address future technological improvements; d. Separate surface and foul water drainage requirements within the proposed building or site, including provision of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), rainwater harvesting and grey-water recycling, minimising discharge to the combined sewer network. Where it is not possible to provide detail at application stage, planning conditions and/or obligations will be used to secure the provision of such detail. 2. To avoid delays to prospective tenants, developers should consider pre-installing telco communal chambers or other innovative solutions to help facilitate communications networks, into the new development. 3. Developers should conduct mobile signal tests within the development and consider the need for provider neutral in-building mobile solutions where coverage is poor. 4. Development should aim to avoid reducing mobile connectivity in surrounding areas, and if that is not possible suitable mitigation measures will be required. Provision should be made on buildings or in the public realm to accommodate well designed and located mobile digital infrastructure.

Infrastructure Capacity

1. Development must not lead to capacity or reliability issues in the surrounding area and capacity projections must take into account the impacts of climate change which will influence future infrastructure demand. 2. Where potential capacity problems are identified, and no improvements are programmed by the utility company, the City Corporation will require developers to facilitate appropriate improvements, which may require the provision of space within new developments for on-site infrastructure or off-site infrastructure upgrades. 3. Developers are required to demonstrate, through effective engagement with providers, that adequate utility infrastructure will be provided, both on and off the site, to serve the development during construction and operation.

Pipe Subways

Developers and utility providers must provide entry and connection points within the development which relate to the City's established utility infrastructure networks, utilising pipe subway routes where these are available. Sharing of routes with other nearby developments and the provision of new pipe subway facilities adjacent to buildings will be encouraged.

Planning Contributions

The City Corporation will seek appropriate contributions from developers to manage and mitigate the impact of development: 1. Requiring contributions through the Community Infrastructure Levy to: a. assist in the delivery of the infrastructure necessary to support implementation of the City Plan and the City's Transport Strategy; and b. contribute towards the costs of Crossrail, or other strategic infrastructure, in accordance with the provisions of the Mayor of London Community Infrastructure Levy 2. 2. Requiring s106 planning obligations, having regard to the impact of the obligation on the viability of development, for: a. site specific mitigation meeting statutory tests; b. affordable housing; c. training, skills and job brokerage; d. carbon offsetting; e. cultural provision; f. Highways and public realm enhancements including commuted sums for maintenance; g. local procurement in the City and neighbouring boroughs; and h. measures to enhance area-wide security, where appropriate. 3. Use of the Vacant Building Credit is not considered to be appropriate in the City of London.

Infrastructure and Utilities

1. To coordinate and facilitate infrastructure planning and delivery and the transition towards a zero carbon and climate resilient City, all development should: a. Minimise the demand for power, water and utility services; b. Incorporate sustainable building design and demand management measures; c. Connect to existing pipe subways where feasible, particularly where there is pipe and cable congestion under the streets; d. Seek to provide the latest and best quality utility infrastructure and connections to serve the development. 2. Developers must engage with infrastructure providers at an early stage of design to ensure that the infrastructure needs arising from the construction and operation of new development are addressed and required utility networks and connections are in place in time to serve the development. 3. Existing essential utilities and telecommunications infrastructure will be protected from development unless it is no longer required or will be adequately relocated. 4. The improvement and extension of utilities infrastructure should be designed and sited to minimise adverse impacts on the visual amenity, character and appearance of the City and its heritage assets.

Viability Assessments

1. Development proposals must take full account of the policy requirements set out in this Plan and the London Plan, including financial and other requirements under the Mayoral and City of London Community Infrastructure Levy and s106 planning obligations. 2. Exceptionally, even where policy requirements have been taken into account, applicants may consider that these requirements cannot be delivered in full without adversely affecting the overall viability of a development. In these circumstances, proposals must be supported by a scheme specific viability assessment. 3. The viability assessment must be prepared in accordance with the standard methodology set out in national planning practice guidance. The price paid for a site and/or building will not be a relevant justification for not meeting Development Plan requirements. 4. Viability assessments will be made available on the Planning Register reflecting the expectation that these should be publicly available. If the applicant considers that the assessment in part or whole should be redacted for reasons of confidentiality, there will be an opportunity for the applicant to make the case. If an assessment is redacted, an executive summary will be made public. 5. The City Corporation will seek independent verification of submitted viability assessments, with the cost of verification being met by the applicant. 6. Where it is agreed that a development cannot viably deliver all required planning obligations at the date of permission, but that there are nevertheless other policy considerations which justify the approval of planning permission, the City Corporation will normally require a review of the viability information at a later stage of the development, or upon occupation.

Fleet Street and Ludgate

The character and function of the Fleet Street and Ludgate Key Area of Change as a centre for judicial and related business, a royal and state processional route and a Principal Shopping Centre (PSC) will be promoted by: 1. Protecting and enhancing the character and appearance of the royal and state processional route including views of St. Paul's Cathedral from the route. 2. Developing new court facilities and City of London Police station, having regard to the impact of the development on the Fleet Street Conservation Area and heritage assets and the need to ensure security of the buildings for court and police use. 3. Continuing to protect existing office use in the area, whilst encouraging office-led redevelopments including for creative, start-up and SME businesses, with a mix of complementary retail, leisure and cultural uses which enhance the area's rich heritage and culture. 4. Seeking opportunities to provide an enhanced cultural offer in the area, informed by its rich history and connections to the legal, publishing and newspaper industries, as well as opportunities to better reveal the area's heritage. 5. Allowing tall building development on appropriate sites within the defined tall building area identified on the Policies Map. 6. Providing flexible spaces and complementary uses in appropriate locations. 7. Directing further residential development to appropriate sites off principal streets to reinforce existing residential clusters, ensuring a high quality of residential amenity. Student housing may be appropriate on suitable sites. 8. Retaining retail provision within the Fleet Street PSC and encouraging greater diversity of retail, culture and leisure and the extension of retail, leisure and cultural activity into the evening and weekends, and promote pop-up and meanwhile uses in suitable premises and sites. 9. Enhancing the public realm and open spaces by: a. improving and increasing the capacity and accessibility of pavements along Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill, junction improvements at Ludgate Circus and more spaces for seating in the area; b. enhancing the courts and alleyways that lead off Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill and churchyards that are located in the area, helping to better reveal them through sensitive wayfinding, and seeking opportunities to improve safety through enhanced lighting and activation; c. enhancing the immediate setting of St. Paul's Cathedral through high quality development and public realm enhancements; and d. delivering additional greening on streets and open spaces and encouraging the greening of buildings, where compatible with heritage considerations.

Blackfriars

The character and amenities of the Blackfriars Key Area of Change will be enhanced by: 1. Making the area's buildings, streets and public spaces more inclusive, accessible, welcoming and vibrant, with a mix of uses that encourages more activity and greater enjoyment of the River Thames and the Riverside Walk for all; 2. Promoting comprehensive redevelopment or refurbishment of existing post-war buildings to provide new high quality office and commercial accommodation with active frontages at ground floor and mezzanine level and elevated public spaces including roof gardens; 3. Implementing the Thames Tideway Tunnel project and creating a high quality new area of public realm at Blackfriars Bridge foreshore (Bazalgette Embankment), and seeking opportunities to enhance the area underneath the Blackfriars undercroft for suitable sports, leisure, or recreation; 4. Enhancing pedestrian permeability and accessibility, especially through improvements to and along the riverside, including appropriate widening of the Riverside Walk, improvements to Blackfriars Underpass, and the provision of new and improved links across Queen Victoria Street and Upper Thames Street to provide new north-south routes; 5. Seeking provision of a new entrance to the east side of Blackfriars Station that gives improved pedestrian connectivity to the riverfront; 6. Preserving, enhancing and celebrating the area's heritage and historic assets and giving careful consideration to protected views; 7. Encouraging new cultural, leisure and recreation facilities, the retention or renewal of existing facilities where appropriate, and events, arts and play in public spaces; and 8. Improving the quality of the public realm and identifying opportunities for urban greening and pollution reduction measures, particularly along Puddle Dock, Castle Baynard Street, White Lion Hill, Upper Thames Street and the churchyard of The Guild Church of St Benet Paul's Wharf.

Pool of London

The Pool of London Key Area of Change will be renewed through the refurbishment and redevelopment of building stock and the delivery of significant public realm improvements: 1. Making the area's buildings, streets and public spaces more inclusive, accessible, welcoming and vibrant, with a mix of uses that encourages more activity and greater enjoyment of the River Thames, public spaces and the Riverside Walk for all; 2. Enabling office-led mixed commercial use redevelopment or refurbishment, including the provision of retail, cultural and leisure uses that are complementary to, and do not detract from, the primary business function of the City and that enhance heritage assets. 3. Requiring increased vibrancy and active frontages at ground floor, rooftop and terrace levels, through the provision of retail and publicly accessible leisure and cultural uses on the river frontage. 4. Encouraging the provision of recreation, cultural events, arts and play in public spaces along the riverside, and ensuring their delivery through Culture and Vibrancy Plans. 5. Maximising opportunities to increase the quantity and quality of public open space along the riverfront and seeking public realm improvements and increased permeability to the north of the Riverside Walk; 6. Optimising the use of historic assets and spaces around them in ways that help to better reveal their heritage, create inclusive and welcoming environments and help to make the riverfront more vibrant and accessible for all; 7. Preserving and enhancing the area's significant heritage assets and historic significance including protected views, as well as encouraging more diverse communities to appreciate and understand the area through creative interpretation. 8. Improving transport connections and pedestrian links by: a. improving existing and creating new crossing points and improving wayfinding over Lower Thames Street; b. improving links to the riverside by enhancing permeability and connectivity between London Bridge, Monument Street and Lower Thames Street; c. improving signage to and from the Pool of London to the Tower of London; d. improving the servicing of buildings, encouraging the development of shared servicing bays and access points and collaborative management; and e. preventing vehicular access onto the Riverside Walk and removing car parking areas upon redevelopment. 9. Enhancing public realm and public spaces by: a. enhancing the Riverside Walk to create a continuous publicly accessible walkway free of cars between London Bridge and Tower Bridge which is accessible to all; b. identifying opportunities for pollution reduction measures and additional greening and planting within the public realm and buildings on redevelopment; and c. maximizing opportunities from development to create additional inclusive public space and play facilities.

Aldgate, Tower and Portsoken

The Aldgate, Tower and Portsoken Key Area of Change will be promoted as a mixed-use area, which balances the requirements of residents, workers and visitors, by: 1. Promoting a greater mix of development including commercial, residential, education and hotels supported by complementary cultural and community use development to assist in the further renewal of the area. 2. Supporting and enabling residential development in appropriate locations and identifying and meeting residents' needs, utilising a range of funding sources to: a. maximise training, education and employment opportunities for residents; b. maximise opportunities for delivering health, community and educational services and facilities for residents, particularly in the Aldgate Square area; c. create additional publicly accessible open and green space and additional accessible play space for children; d. encourage local retail facilities; and e. facilitate the regeneration of the Mansell Street Estate and adjacent sites, re-providing existing social housing, alongside additional residential units, reduced levels of air and noise pollution, community facilities and good quality open and play spaces. 3. Recognising the benefit and managing the impact of visitors to the area by: a. enhancing Petticoat Lane Market, celebrating the character and history of the area and improving the visitor experience by working in partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, market traders and other stakeholders; b. encouraging cultural events, arts and play in public spaces; c. permitting additional hotels on appropriate sites; and d. managing the impact of tourist attractions in the area to minimise disturbance to workers and residents. 4. Improving transport connections and pedestrian connectivity by: a. implementing improvements to street-level interchange between Fenchurch Street and Tower Hill/Tower Gateway stations, and exploring the feasibility of a direct interchange route; b. improving Aldgate Bus Station to improve air quality and deliver better access for pedestrians to and from community facilities, housing estates, open spaces and retail facilities; c. sealing the ramp leading to the closed Aldgate Gyratory underpass and enhancing the area; d. encouraging pedestrian routes and permeability through large development sites, particularly the Mansell Street Estate and between Minories and Mansell Street; e. improving signage for visitors from Liverpool Street to Tower Hill and from Aldgate to Cheapside and to other tourist attractions as necessary; f. enhancing links to the riverside walkway and the Tower of London; and g. enhancing the north-south walking route between Tower Hill and Aldgate along Vine Street. 5. Enhancing the public realm and open spaces by identifying opportunities for urban greening schemes, congestion and pollution reduction measures, particularly in the vicinity of The Aldgate School and Middlesex Street and Mansell Street Estates.

City Cluster

The City Cluster Key Area of Change will accommodate a significant growth in office floorspace and employment, including through the construction of new tall buildings, together with complementary land uses, transport, public realm and security enhancements, by; 1. Increasing the provision of attractive world class buildings that are sustainable and offer a range of office accommodation to cater for the needs of varied office occupiers; 2. Encouraging complementary uses including leisure, culture and retail to support the primary office function in this area and providing active frontages at ground level. 3. Transforming Leadenhall Market into a seven day-week vibrant destination by encouraging culture, retail, food & beverage and other complementary uses, while preserving and enhancing its historic character and appearance. 4. Requiring the provision of new and improved open spaces at ground level, free to enter publicly accessible spaces such as roof gardens and roof terraces, and cultural and leisure destinations and other facilities, that will provide additional public space and experiences for people working in the City alongside visitors and residents. 5. Delivering tall buildings on appropriate sites in line with Policy S12 (Tall buildings) ensuring they positively contribute to the City's skyline, preserving heritage assets and their settings, taking account of the effect on the London skyline and on protected views; 6. Ensuring development proposals have regard to the immediate setting of Bevis Marks Synagogue (as set out in the Policy Map). Developments should form a positive relationship with the Synagogue without dominating or detracting from its architectural and historic value; and ensuring that the historic elements of the Synagogue's setting are preserved and enhanced. 7. Protecting the City's businesses, workers, residents and visitors against crime and terrorism by promoting the natural surveillance of streets, open spaces and buildings and implementing area-wide security measures, funded in part through s106 planning obligations; 8. Enhancing the streets, spaces and public realm to improve connectivity into and through the Cluster, and prioritising pedestrian movement in key streets such as St Mary Axe, Leadenhall Street and Lime Street; and creating new pedestrian routes through and improving the accessibility of Leadenhall Market. 9. Improving north-south connectivity for walking, wheeling and cycling through Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate and east-west connectivity from Aldgate in the east to Bank in the west; 10. Delivering a high quality public realm, maintaining the quality of the microclimate and increasing urban greening; 11. Activating streets, spaces and public realm at the ground floor and improving wayfinding through the streets and alleys. 12. Improving walking and cycling into and through the Cluster. Pedestrian movement should be given priority through re-allocation of road space on key routes during daytime. 13. Ensuring the provision of high quality utilities and communications infrastructure and efficient use of the subsurface through early engagement and joint working between developers and utility providers; 14. Ensuring an area wide approach is taken to security and estate management to ensure the safety and comfort of workers and visitors, with a high quality public realm and environment that reflects the status of the area; 15. Introducing new approaches to freight, construction logistics and servicing and delivering improvements to public transport to ensure the City Cluster can accommodate the planned level of growth.

Temporary 'Meanwhile' Uses

1. Temporary use of vacant commercial, business and service buildings or sites ('meanwhile' uses) will be encouraged where the proposed use would not result in adverse impacts on the amenity of the surrounding area or the primary business role of the City. Where temporary permission is granted, it will be for a period not exceeding 36 months and the site will revert to its prior lawful use thereafter. Culture and Vibrancy Plans (CVPs) that accompany major developments should explore the potential for meanwhile use. 2. Residential development is not considered an appropriate meanwhile use and will not be permitted. 3. Where a major development would affect existing ground floor or podium level active uses (Class E (a)-(f)), these units should be kept in active use for as long as possible prior to development taking place. CVPs should set out how this will be achieved.

Principal Shopping Centres

1. The role of the PSCs as concentrations of comparison and convenience shopping will be retained. The loss of existing ground floor retail frontages and/or floorspace will be resisted and additional retail provision of varied unit sizes and frontage lengths will be encouraged, supported by complementary uses that increase footfall and provide active frontages. Where planning permission is required, proposals for changes between retail uses within the PSCs will be assessed against: a. the contribution the unit makes to the function and character of the PSC; b. maintaining an active frontage; and c. the effect of the proposal on the area in terms of the size of the unit, the length of its frontage, the composition and distribution of retail uses within the frontage and the location of the unit within the frontage. 2. The role of the PSCs as concentrations of comparison and convenience shopping will be retained. The loss of existing ground floor retail frontages and/or floorspace will be resisted and additional retail provision of varied unit sizes and frontage lengths will be encouraged, supported by complementary uses that increase footfall and provide active frontages. Where planning permission is required, proposals for changes between retail uses within the PSCs will be assessed against: a. the contribution the unit makes to the function and character of the PSC; b. maintaining an active frontage; and c. the effect of the proposal on the area in terms of the size of the unit, the length of its frontage, the composition and distribution of retail uses within the frontage and the location of the unit within the frontage.

Active frontages

1. Active frontage uses will be encouraged at ground floor level across the City provided they: a. Do not impact adversely on the amenity of residents, workers and visitors; b. Do not impact adversely on the operation of office premises; and c. Would not adversely affect the vitality and viability of the PSCs. 2. The loss of existing active frontage uses will be resisted. Development that proposes their loss should be supported by evidence demonstrating that there is no demand for active frontage uses and that premises have been actively marketed for a period of no less than 12 months. Alternative uses that would support the retail environment should be provided. 3. The loss of convenience retail units located close to, or that meet, a local residential need will be resisted, unless it is demonstrated that they are no longer required.

Specialist retail uses and clusters

The City Corporation will seek to retain specialist retail uses and premises that are historically and culturally significant to the City of London. Existing and potential clusters of retail uses that contribute to the character and vibrancy of particular areas will be supported. Development in these areas should enhance and support retail uses in the area and deliver active frontages.

Markets

Proposals for markets and temporary retail pop-ups will be encouraged where they: 1. Are of an appropriate scale and frequency for their location; 2. Would enhance the vitality and viability of existing retail centres within or outside the City; 3. Would not have a significant adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residents or business occupiers; 4. Would not unduly obstruct pedestrian and vehicular movement; and 5. Would not involve the permanent loss of open space or harm the character of that space.

Retail and active frontages

The City Corporation will seek to make the City's retail areas more vibrant, with a greater mix of retail, leisure, entertainment, experience, culture, and other appropriate uses across the City. The City will work with the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), landowners, operators, and other partners to enrich the 'ground floor economy', encourage active frontages and to provide different offers across different parts of the Square Mile, informed by their character, function and potential. The City will seek to improve the quantity and quality of retailing and the retail environment in the City of London, promoting the development of the City's four Principal Shopping Centres (PSCs) and the wider distribution of retail by: 1. Focusing new large-scale retail development in the PSCs and encouraging a vibrant retail offer across the Square Mile. 2. Supporting proposals that contribute towards the delivery of additional retail floorspace across the City to meet future demand up to 2040. 3. Requiring major retail developments over 2,500m2 gross floorspace to be located within or near PSCs. Where suitable sites cannot be identified within PSCs, sites immediately adjoining the PSCs should be considered. Other areas of the City will only be considered where no suitable sites are identified within or adjoining the PSCs. 4. Requiring a Retail Impact Assessment for schemes outside PSCs of 2,500m2 gross floorspace and above. The cumulative impact of retail floorspace will be taken into account in the assessment of planning applications. 5. Focusing comparison and convenience shops within the PSCs, with a broader mix of retail and other active, publicly accessible frontage uses on the peripheries of the centres. 6. Supporting the provision of retail uses that provide active and publicly accessible frontages at street level across the City where they would not detract from the viability and vitality of the PSCs. 7. Supporting a greater diversity of retail uses in all areas, and encouraging contextual approaches for the provision of different types of retail use. 8. Retail and other relevant uses will be encouraged to open at evenings and weekends, particularly in and around areas where there are key attractions.

Pedestrian Movement, Permeability and Wayfinding

1. Developers should facilitate pedestrian movement, enhance permeability, and reduce severance by provision of suitable routes through and around new developments, wherever feasible. Development will be required to contribute towards the improvement of pedestrian permeability in the City by providing: a. legible, good quality, safe and low pollution pedestrian connections between spaces; b. new pedestrian routes through buildings and development sites, where feasible, and respecting, maintaining and restoring, the City's characteristic network of accessible buildings, streets, courts and alleyways; c. publicly accessible ground floors for improved pedestrian movement, where feasible; d. pedestrian routes that are of adequate width, step-free and follow best practice in street design to encourage ease of movement. 2. The City Corporation will work with developers and owners to maintain pedestrian routes at ground level and the upper level walkway network around the Barbican and London Wall. Development should not lead to the loss of routes and spaces that enhance the City's heritage, function or character. 3. Development proposals should maintain and, wherever feasible, provide for an increase in pavement widths aligned with TfL Pedestrian Comfort guidance to ensure that pavements provide sufficient safety, comfort and convenience for the number of pedestrians. 4. The loss of a pedestrian route will only be permitted where an alternative public pedestrian route of at least equivalent standard is provided having regard to: a. The extent to which the route provides for current and all reasonably foreseeable future demands placed upon it, including at peak periods; b. The shortest practicable routes between relevant points. 5. Routes of historic importance will be safeguarded and where appropriate reinstated as part of the City's characteristic pattern of lanes, alleys and courts, including the route's historic alignment and width. 6. The replacement of a route over which pedestrians have rights with one to which the public have access only with permission will not be acceptable. 7. Public access across private land will be encouraged where it enhances the connectivity, legibility and capacity of the City's street network. Spaces should be designed so that it is clear to the public that access is allowed (without reliance on signage). 8. The creation of new pedestrian rights of way will be encouraged where this would improve movement and contribute to the character of an area, taking into account the existing pattern of pedestrian routes and movement and connections to neighbouring areas and boroughs where relevant. 9. Improved wayfinding will be sought through new development and public realm improvements. Improvements sought will include: a. Opportunities to update, enhance and add to the network of Legible London signs; b. Consistent signage for public spaces created in new development; and 10. Better revealing 'hidden' routes, courts, alleys and other spaces in ways that respect and celebrate their character and heritage. 11. Major development proposals should model the pedestrian flow impact of new development.

Active Travel including Cycling

All major development must promote and encourage active travel through making appropriate provision for people who walk, wheel and cycle by: ensuring suitable access between the development site and pedestrian and cycle routes; incorporating sufficient shower and changing facilities, and lockers/storage to support walking and cycling in accordance with the London Cycling Design Standards.

Cycle Parking

1. Developments must provide on-site cycle parking for occupiers and visitors, complying with London Plan standards, and will be encouraged to provide facilities for public cycle parking. 2. All long stay on site cycle parking must be secure, undercover and preferably enclosed, in accordance with the London Cycle Design Standards. 3. Developments that include ground floor retail and take-away food outlets should provide appropriate off-street storage for cargo bikes and hand carts. 4. Cycling facilities should be conveniently located, easily accessible, safe and secure. 5. Opportunities to provide space for dockless parking should be explored where development would create or have an impact on existing public realm.

The impacts of development on transport

1. Development proposals must have a positive impact on highway safety for all users in accordance with the Transport Strategy and Vision Zero ambition, and should not have adverse effects on the City's transport networks. 2. Where development would result in adverse impacts on the transport network, these must be demonstrated at pre-application stage and mitigated though site/building design, public highway works and management of operational activities. Appropriate measures to adapt public highway to mitigate the impact of the development will be sought via planning contributions or by legal agreement. There should be no reduction in the quality or function of the public highway as a result of development, and improvements should be sought where feasible. 3. The design and implementation of traffic management and highway security measures must be agreed with the City Corporation and Transport for London, where appropriate, and may include restricting motor vehicle access and using traffic calming measures to limit the opportunity for hostile vehicle approach. 4. Transport Assessments and Travel Plans (incorporating Cycling Promotion Plans) are required for all developments that exceed the following thresholds: Land Use - Thresholds Offices - 1,000m2 Residential - 10 units Retail - 1,000m2 Hotel - 10 bed spaces Health - 1,000m2 Transport Infrastructure - >500 additional trips per peak hour Mixed Use - 1,000m2 5. A Construction Logistics Plans is required for all major developments or refurbishments and for any developments that would have a significant impact on the transport network during construction.

Freight and Servicing

1. Applicants should consult with the City Corporation on matters relating to servicing at an early design concept stage. 2. Developments must minimise the need for freight trips and seek to work together with adjoining owners and occupiers to manage freight and servicing on an area-wide basis. Major commercial development must provide for freight consolidation and use technological and procurement solutions that enable efficient servicing and deliveries to sites. 3. Development should be designed to provide for on-site servicing bays within buildings, wherever practicable. On site servicing areas must be of a sufficient size and design to allow all goods and refuse collection vehicles likely to service the development at the same time to be conveniently loaded and unloaded. Servicing areas should provide sufficient space or facilities for all vehicles to enter and exit the site in a forward gear. Servicing areas must be equipped with electric vehicle fast charging points. The use of servicing lifts will be required where this approach would be beneficial for creating attractive and inclusive public realm. 4. Delivery to and servicing of development must take place outside peak pedestrian hours (i.e. no deliveries between 7am-10am, 12pm-2pm and 4pm-7pm on weekdays). Deliveries residential areas must take place outside the hours of 11pm – 7am on all days of the week. Areas of high footfall or in proximity to sensitive land uses may be subject to further restrictions, especially areas near cultural and visitor attractions and transport hubs. 5. Developers should minimise congestion and emissions caused by servicing and deliveries through ensuring, last mile deliveries are made by foot, cycle or zero emission vehicle, and should seek opportunities to support deliveries to the City by river and rail freight. Developers will be encouraged to identify opportunities for last mile logistic hubs where appropriate. 6. Provision should be made within servicing bays for shredding operations. On-street shredding will not be permitted.

Vehicle Parking

1. Development in the City should be car-free except for designated Blue Badge spaces. Where other car parking (including motorcycle parking) is exceptionally provided it must not exceed London Plan standards. 2. No new public car parks will be permitted, including through the temporary use of vacant sites. 3. Underutilised public car parks will be prioritised for alternative uses that support the delivery of the Transport Strategy. The redevelopment of existing public car parks for other land uses will be supported if it is demonstrated that they are no longer needed for a transport-related function. 4. All off-street car parking facilities must be equipped with electric vehicle charging points. 5. New taxi ranks will only be permitted in key locations such as near stations, hotels and large retail developments and where they do not conflict with other policies in the development plan. Off-street taxi ranks should be designed with a combined entry and exit point to minimise obstruction to other transport modes.

River Transport

1. The City Corporation will support improvements to river piers, steps and stairs to the foreshore. 2. Improvements to piers and other river-based transport infrastructure to enable an increase in passenger and freight transport by river will be supported, alongside opportunities for new river-based transport. 3. The City Corporation will seek the reinstatement of Swan Lane Pier for river transport uses. Development that prejudices this reinstatement will not be permitted. 4. The permanent mooring of vessels along the riverfront will be resisted in order to maintain views of the river and heritage assets, allow public enjoyment of the riverfront and minimise potential impacts on archaeology, ecology, and amenity. 5. The City Corporation will continue to safeguard Walbrook Wharf as a river wharf and waste transfer site, support improvements to Walbrook Wharf that would improve its operation, and seek opportunities for the use of the wharf for transfer of goods, where this would not undermine its safeguarded role. 6. All development within the City must consider use of the River Thames for the movement of construction materials and waste. Development adjacent to, or over, the river must be supported by a Transport Assessment and a Construction Logistics Plan addressing the potential of using the river for the movement of construction materials and waste and servicing of the development.

Aviation Landing Facilities

1. Heliports will not be permitted in the City. Individual helipads will only be permitted where they are essential for emergency or security purposes.

Active Travel and Healthy Streets

The City Corporation will work with partners to improve the quality and permeability of the City's streets and spaces in ways that enhance inclusion and accessibility, put the needs of people walking and wheeling first when designing and managing our streets, and enable more people to choose to cycle in the City by: 1. Applying the Healthy Streets Approach in development proposals and improvements to public realm; 2. Improving conditions for safe, convenient, comfortable, inclusive and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling, incorporating climate change adaptation; 3. Expanding the cycle network across the City with the aim of ensuring that all property entrances are within 250m of the network; 4. Implementing improvements to key walking routes and increasing the number of pedestrian priority streets as part of the delivery of the City's Transport Strategy; 5. Improving access routes and the public realm around stations, and between stations and key destinations; and 6. Implementing enhancements to the safety and appearance of streets and public realm in conjunction with restrictions to vehicular access, taking account of the needs of disabled people.

Transport and Servicing

The City's transport infrastructure will be maintained and improved by: 1. Safeguarding land where necessary, as shown on the Policies Map, to enable the delivery of increased public transport capacity. Proposals which are contrary to the safeguarding of strategic infrastructure projects will be refused. 2. Implementing improvements to street-level interchange between Fenchurch Street and Tower Hill and Tower Gateway stations and working with partners to explore the feasibility of a direct interchange route in the longer-term. 3. Promoting further improvements to public transport capacity and step-free access at existing mainline rail, London Underground stations, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations and river piers. 4. Minimising road danger and congestion, and reducing vehicle emissions by: a. Not providing any additional on-street car and motorcycle parking; b. Identifying opportunities to use on-street parking reductions and restrictions to discourage private vehicle use; c. Designing and managing streets in accordance with the City of London street hierarchy; d. Minimising the impact of freight and servicing trips through such measures as the provision of on-site servicing facilities, the timing of deliveries outside peak hours, the adoption of area-wide solutions, freight consolidation and promoting deliveries by foot or bicycle; e. Facilitating essential traffic, including emergency service vehicles, buses, freight and private transport for people with particular access needs, whilst minimising the environmental impact of these modes; f. Requiring the provision of infrastructure for alternative-fuel vehicles and zero emissions vehicles, such as off-street vehicle charging points; g. Using traffic management measures and street works permits to improve journey time reliability on the City's roads; and h. Requiring developers to demonstrate, through Transport Assessments, Construction Logistics Plans, Travel Plans, Cycling Promotion Plans and Delivery and Servicing Plans, how the environmental impacts and road danger of travel and servicing will be minimised as a result of their development, promoting best practice such as direct vision standards, and zero vison policies to minimise danger of travel and servicing, including through the use of river transport.