Planning in Hillingdon

Community Infrastructure Provision

The Council will ensure that community and social infrastructure is provided in Hillingdon to cater for the needs of the existing community and future populations by: 1. Resisting of the loss of community facilities, and where the loss of these facilities is justified it will seek to ensure that resulting development compensates these uses to ensure no net loss; 2. Supporting the retention and enhancement of existing community facilities; 3. Supporting extensions to existing schools and the development of new schools and youth facilities; 4. Encouraging the development of multi-purpose facilities that can provide a range of services and facilities to the community at one accessible location; 5. Promoting innovation in service provision and recognising that there are a range of modes appropriate for providing for all sections of the community; 6. Requiring development to contribute towards the provision of community facilities to meet the needs of new communities and mitigate impacts on existing communities; 7. Locating libraries, health facilities, police facilities, leisure facilities and community centres in town centres or other accessible locations to maximise community access, sustainable transport and build a sense of local community identity; 8. Ensuring new facilities demonstrate how they will tackle climate change, in line with Policy EM1; 9. Providing facilities and services that are accessible and inclusive to all potential users regardless of age, ability, gender or socio-economic status; and 10. Implementing a borough-wide Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to fund community infrastructure provision.

Leisure and Recreation

The Council will, in partnership with other bodies, seek to secure good quality, well maintained leisure and recreation facilities to address identified deficiencies and meet the needs of local communities, particularly deprived groups, by: Safeguarding the existing viable leisure and recreational facilities and supporting proposals for new and improved facilities; Seeking to improve the geographical spread of leisure and recreational facilities across the borough by: Promoting 'community sport hubs'; Improving and upgrading facilities to both modernise and maximise their capacity to meet current leisure trends and demands including refurbishment of Highgrove Pool, extension of facilities at Minet cycle track and Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex; Increased and improved facilities for specialist sports facilities to accommodate year round provision and standard of competition where local need can be identified. Such potential opportunities currently include indoor tennis courts, velodrome facilities and indoor bowls; Encouraging cultural and sporting facilities for schools and other institutions which can be shared with the community through new facilities provided by existing providers (at Brunel University and Uxbridge College) and sports club facilities (such as Eastcote Hockey Club); and Opening up formal pay and play community access to school facilities. Increasing the provision of indoor facilities to address the needs of older people; Ensuring that development proposals will not result in the loss of existing leisure and recreational facilities unless satisfactory alternative provision is made or it can be demonstrated that the asset is no longer needed; Encouraging shared use of private leisure and recreational facilities; Capitalising on opportunities to supply new sporting and associated facilities in the borough to support the legacy of the 2012 Olympics; Seeking developer contributions towards improvements to the quality and quantity of leisure and recreational facilities; and Seeking new and existing developments to promote the need to have inclusive and accessible design, to tackle climate change and to include facilities that promote sustainable transportation.

Culture

To ensure that cultural uses help improve the quality of life of residents and visitors, a strong and well-developed cultural provision will be established by: Safeguarding the quality of existing viable cultural facilities and supporting proposals for new and improved cultural facilities; Identifying the need for new culture and arts facilities in the north of the borough and in the identified Opportunity Areas of Yiewsley/ West Drayton; Protecting the historic environment as a cultural resource; Promoting Uxbridge Town Centre, Compass Theatre (Ickenham), Manor Farm (Ruislip) and Beck Theatre (Hayes) as key cultural centres for the arts serving Hillingdon and the wider sub-region; Ensuring all facilities promote walking, cycling and sustainable transport measures. The inclusion of cycle storage and electric charging points will be encouraged in new facilities and installed in existing facilities; In locations where new development needs access to cultural facilities, developer contributions will be sought to provide for new and expanded services.

Sport and Leisure

The Council will: Safeguard, enhance and extend the network of sport and leisure spaces that meet local community needs and facilitate active lifestyles by providing active sport and leisure spaces within walking distance of home. Ensure that the overall borough-wide target, identified in the Open Space Strategy, of active sport and leisure facilities with unrestricted access is maintained. There will be a presumption against any net loss of active sport and leisure facilities in the borough. Ensure that future development includes features that designs activity into areas, providing opportunities for improved cycle ways, formal and/or informal local sports facilities, to encourage participation in a more active lifestyle. Adopt a flexible approach to the provision of facilities that recognises changing demographics in the population and trends in sports participation. Ensure that sufficient children's play space is provided to support proposals for new residential development, in accordance with national and local guidance. Promote Hillingdon's sport and leisure facilities to achieve more integrated public accessibility and active lifestyles. Identify where appropriate new opportunities for sport and leisure and measures to deliver them. Major development may be required to make contributions in order to minimise the impacts and pressures on the existing resource.

Designing Built Development to Ensure Community Cohesion and a Sense of Place

1. Contribute to community cohesion and a sense of place; 2. Be designed to be appropriate to the identity and context of Hillingdon's buildings, townscapes, landscapes and views, and make a positive contribution to the local area in terms of layout, form, scale and materials and seek to protect the amenity of surrounding land and buildings, particularly residential properties; 3. Be designed to include "Lifetime Homes" principles so that they can be readily adapted to meet the needs of those with disabilities and the elderly, 10% of these should be wheelchair accessible or easily adaptable to wheelchair accessibility encouraging places of work and leisure, streets, neighbourhoods, parks and open spaces to be designed to meet the needs of the community at all stages of people's lives; 4. In the case of 10 dwellings or over, achieve a satisfactory assessment rating in terms of the latest Building for Life standards (as amended or replaced from time to time); 5. Improve areas of poorer environmental quality, including within the areas of relative disadvantage of Hayes, Yiewsley and West Drayton. All regeneration schemes should ensure that they are appropriate to their historic context, make use of heritage assets and reinforce their significance; 6. Incorporate a clear network of routes that are easy to understand, inclusive, safe, secure and connect positively with interchanges, public transport, community facilities and services; 7. Improve the quality of the public realm and provide for public and private spaces that are attractive, safe, functional, diverse, sustainable, accessible to all, respect the local character and landscape, integrate with the development, enhance and protect biodiversity through the inclusion of living walls, roofs and areas for wildlife, encourage physical activity and where appropriate introduce public art; 8. Create safe and secure environments that reduce crime and fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and risks from fire and arson having regard to Secure by Design standards and address resilience to terrorism in major development proposals; 9. Not result in the inappropriate development of gardens and green spaces that erode the character and biodiversity of suburban areas and increase the risk of flooding through the loss of permeable areas; 10. Maximise the opportunities for all new homes to contribute to tackling and adapting to climate change and reducing emissions of local air quality pollutants. The Council will require all new development to achieve reductions in carbon dioxide emission in line with the London Plan targets through energy efficient design and effective use of low and zero carbon technologies. Where the required reduction from on-site renewable energy is not feasible within major developments, contributions off-site will be sought. The Council will seek to merge a suite of sustainable design goals, such as the use of SUDS, water efficiency, lifetime homes, and energy efficiency into a requirement measured against the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM. These will be set out within the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Development Management Policies Local Development Document (LDD). All developments should be designed to make the most efficient use of natural resources whilst safeguarding historic assets, their settings and local amenity and include sustainable design and construction techniques to increase the re-use and recycling of construction, demolition and excavation waste and reduce the amount disposed to landfill; 11. In the case of tall buildings, not adversely affect their surroundings including the local character, cause harm to the significance of heritage assets or impact on important views. Appropriate locations for tall buildings will be defined on a Character Study and may include parts of Uxbridge and Hayes subject to considering the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces for Heathrow Airport. Outside of Uxbridge and Hayes town centres, tall buildings will not be supported. The height of all buildings should be based upon an understanding of the local character and be appropriate to the positive qualities of the surrounding townscape.

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME)

Hillingdon will encourage the development of affordable accommodation for small and medium-sized businesses in appropriate sustainable locations throughout the borough.

Raising Skills

The Council will ensure a range of training and employment opportunities are linked with the development of major sites for both construction phases and end use occupiers, and through liaising with local colleges and businesses to ensure workforce development initiatives and training programmes reflect skill requirements in the workplace. The Council will engage with local businesses and universities to link high end jobs and green jobs in the borough with higher education courses. The Council will promote Hillingdon as a destination for visitors and tourists and ensure that local residents have access to jobs within related industries.

Managing the Supply of Employment Land

The Council will accommodate growth by protecting Strategic Industrial Locations and the designation of Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS) and Locally Significant Employment Locations (LSEL) including the designation of 13.63 hectares of new employment land. Areas for managed release of employment land are shown on Map 5.1.

Location of Employment Growth

The Council will accommodate 9,000 new jobs during the plan period. Most of this employment growth will be directed towards suitable sites in the Heathrow Opportunity Area, Strategic Industrial Locations (SILs), Locally Significant Employment Locations (LSEL), Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS), Uxbridge Town Centre and Hayes Town Centre with a particular focus around transport nodes. The Council will promote development in highly accessible locations that delivers sustainable travel patterns and contributes to the improvement of existing networks to reduce emissions and impacts on air quality. The Council will accommodate a minimum of 3,800 additional hotel bedrooms, and new hotels and visitor facilities will be encouraged in Uxbridge, Hayes, on sites outside of designated employment land on the Heathrow perimeter and in other sustainable locations.

Strategy for Heathrow Opportunity Area

The Council will prepare a Local Development Document (LDD) for the Heathrow area to achieve the future growth set out in Table 5.3, in consultation with the GLA and London Borough of Hounslow. This LDD will help manage development and protect land within the Heathrow Airport boundaries for airport-related activities. It will seek to ensure that local people benefit from sustainable economic growth located both within the Airport boundaries and in the Perimeter areas. The LDD will also set requirements for climate change mitigation and adaptation through a low carbon emission strategy and measures to improve local air quality.

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

The Council will ensure that climate change mitigation is addressed at every stage of the development process by: 1. Prioritising higher density development in urban and town centres that are well served by sustainable forms of transport. 2. Promoting a modal shift away from private car use and requiring new development to include innovative initiatives to reduce car dependency. 3. Ensuring development meets the highest possible design standards whilst still retaining competitiveness within the market. 4. Working with developers of major schemes to identify the opportunities to help provide efficiency initiatives that can benefit the existing building stock. 5. Promoting the use of decentralised energy within large scale development whilst improving local air quality levels. 6. Targeting areas with high carbon emissions for additional reductions through low carbon strategies. These strategies will also have an objective to minimise other pollutants that impact on local air quality. Targeting areas of poor air quality for additional emissions reductions. 7. Encouraging sustainable techniques to land remediation to reduce the need to transport waste to landfill. In particular developers should consider bioremediation as part of their proposals. 8. Encouraging the installation of renewable energy for all new development in meeting the carbon reduction targets savings set out in the London Plan. Identify opportunities for new sources of electricity generation including anaerobic digestion, hydroelectricty and a greater use of waste as a resource. 9. Promoting new development to contribute to the upgrading of existing housing stock where appropriate. The Borough will ensure that climate change adaptation is addressed at every stage of the development process by: 10. Locating and designing development to minimise the probability and impacts of flooding. 11. Requiring major development proposals to consider the whole water cycle impact which includes flood risk management, foul and surface water drainage and water consumption. 12. Giving preference to development of previously developed land to avoid the loss of further green areas. 13. Promoting the use of living walls and roofs, alongside sustainable forms of drainage to manage surface water run-off and increase the amount of carbon sinks. 14. Promoting the inclusion of passive design measures to reduce the impacts of urban heat effects.

Waste Management

The Council will require all new development to address waste management at all stages of a development's life from design and construction through to the end use and activity on site, ensuring that all waste is managed towards the upper end of the waste hierarchy. The Council will follow the waste hierarchy by promoting the reduction of waste generation through measures such as bioremediation of soils and best practice in building construction. The Council will promote using waste as a resource and encouraging the re-use of materials and recycling. The Council will also support opportunities for energy recovery from waste and composting where appropriate. The Council will safeguard existing waste sites unless compensatory provision can be made. The Council will seek to maximise the use of existing waste management sites through intensification or co-location of facilities.

Biodiversity and Geological Conservation

The Council will review all the Borough grade Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). Deletions, amendments and new designations will be made where appropriate within the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Site Specific Allocations Local Development Document. These designations will be based on previous recommendations made in discussions with the Greater London Authority. Hillingdon's biodiversity and geological conservation will be preserved and enhanced with particular attention given to: 1. The conservation and enhancement of the natural state of: Harefield Gravel Pits Colne Valley Regional Park Fray's Farm Meadows Harefield Pit 2. The protection and enhancement of all Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. Sites with Metropolitan and Borough Grade 1 importance will be protected from any adverse impacts and loss. Borough Grade 2 and Sites of Local Importance will be protected from loss with harmful impacts mitigated through appropriate compensation. 3. The protection and enhancement of populations of protected species as well as priority species and habitats identified within the UK, London and the Hillingdon Biodiversity Action Plans. 4. Appropriate contributions from developers to help enhance Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation in close proximity to development and to deliver/ assist in the delivery of actions within the Biodiversity Action Plan. 5. The provision of biodiversity improvements from all development, where feasible. 6. The provision of green roofs and living walls which contribute to biodiversity and help tackle climate change. 7. The use of sustainable drainage systems that promote ecological connectivity and natural habitats.

Mineral Extraction

The Council will make an appropriate contribution towards the West London apportionment figure in the London Plan in the form of mineral working at the principal Broad Locations and will aim to maintain a minimum land bank equivalent to seven years production for the West London area at a rate of 0.25 million tonnes per annum. The principal Broad Locations for mineral development are land west of the present Harmondsworth Quarry, land north of the village of Harmondsworth, and land at Sipson Lane, east of the M4 spur. Outside the allocated areas identified in this Plan mineral extraction will not be permitted except where: It is demonstrated that the proposal is sustainable, essential to maintain the West London land bank in accordance with national policy, and necessary to maintain apportioned provision for West London as set out in the London Plan. Suitable measures and controls can be put in place to ensure there is not an unacceptable adverse impact on the environment or human health. Restoration and aftercare proposals will outweigh the negative impacts caused by extraction. The restoration proposals will result in an overall positive impact on the environment, considering the quality of soils, water, biodiversity and future land uses.

Sustainable Waste Management

The Council will aim to reduce the amount of waste produced in the Borough and work in conjunction with its partners in West London, to identify and allocate suitable new sites for waste management facilities within the West London Waste Plan to provide sufficient capacity to meet the apportionment requirements of the London Plan which is 382 thousand tonnes per annum for Hillingdon by 2026. The Council will require all new development to address waste management at all stages of a development's life from design and construction through to the end use and activity on site, ensuring that all waste is managed towards the upper end of the waste hierarchy. The Council will follow the waste hierarchy by promoting the reduction of waste generation through measures such as bioremediation of soils and best practice in building construction. The Council will promote using waste as a resource and encouraging the re-use of materials and recycling. The Council will also support opportunities for energy recovery from waste and composting where appropriate. The Council will safeguard existing waste sites unless compensatory provision can be made. The Council will seek to maximise the use of existing waste management sites through intensification or co-location of facilities.

Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Green Chains

The Council will seek to maintain the current extent, hierarchy and strategic functions of the Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Green Chains. Notwithstanding this, Green Chains will be reviewed for designation as Metropolitan Open Land in the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Site Specific Allocations LDD and in accordance with the London Plan policies. Minor adjustments to Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land will be undertaken in the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Site Specific Allocations LDD. Any proposals for development in Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land will be assessed against national and London Plan policies, including the very special circumstances test. Any proposals for development in Green Chains will be firmly resisted unless they maintain the positive contribution of the Green Chain in providing a visual and physical break in the built-up area; conserve and enhance the visual amenity and nature conservation value of the landscape; encourage appropriate public access and recreational facilities where they are compatible with the conservation value of the area, and retain the openness of the Green Chain.

Blue Ribbon Network

The Council will continue to promote and contribute to the positive enhancement of the strategic river and canal corridors and the associated wildlife and habitats through the Biodiversity Action Plan and the Thames River Basin Management Plan, and developer contributions where appropriate. The Council will work with the Environment Agency and other interested bodies to continue to enhance the local character, visual amenity, ecology, transportation, leisure opportunities and sustainable access to rivers and canals. The Council will collaborate with adjacent local authorities to ensure that Hillingdon's river and canal corridors complement and link with cross boundary corridors.

Open Space and Informal Recreation

The Council will safeguard, enhance and extend the network of open spaces, informal recreational and environmental opportunities that operate as carbon sinks and that meet local community needs and facilitate active lifestyles by providing spaces within walking distance of homes. Provision should be made as close as possible to the community it will serve. There will be a presumption against any net loss of open space in the Borough. The Council will identify new opportunities for open space through an Open Space Strategy. Major developments will be expected to make appropriate contributions to the delivery of new opportunities, or to the improvement and enhancements of existing facilities. The Council will seek to protect existing tree and landscape features and enhance open spaces with new areas of vegetation cover (including the linking of existing fragmented areas) including front and back gardens for the benefit of wildlife and a healthier lifestyle, mitigating climate change. The Council will work with DEFRA to identify and protect open spaces that provide quiet areas and will also consider whether other areas merit protection of relative tranquillity. The Council will work with other local authorities and agencies to pursue the key aims of the Colne Valley Park.

Flood Risk Management

The Council will require new development to be directed away from Flood Zones 2 and 3 in accordance with the principles of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The subsequent Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2 -Site Specific Allocations LDD will be subjected to the Sequential Test in accordance with the NPPF. Sites will only be allocated within Flood Zones 2 or 3 where there are overriding issues that outweigh flood risk. In these instances, policy criteria will be set requiring future applicants of these sites to demonstrate that flood risk can be suitably mitigated. The Council will require all development across the borough to use sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) unless demonstrated that it is not viable. The Council will encourage SUDS to be linked to water efficiency methods. The Council may require developer contributions to guarantee the long term maintenance and performance of SUDS is to an appropriate standard.

Land, Water, Air and Noise

Water Quality The Council will seek to safeguard and improve all water quality, both ground and surface. Principal Aquifers, and Source Protection Zones will be given priority along with the: River Colne Grand Union Canal River Pinn Yeading Brook Porter Land Brook River Crane Ruislip Lido Air Quality All development should not cause deterioration in the local air quality levels and should ensure the protection of both existing and new sensitive receptors. All major development within the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) should demonstrate air quality neutrality (no worsening of impacts) where appropriate; actively contribute to the promotion of sustainable transport measures such as vehicle charging points and the increased provision for vehicles with cleaner transport fuels; deliver increased planting through soft landscaping and living walls and roofs; and provide a management plan for ensuring air quality impacts can be kept to a minimum. The Council seeks to reduce the levels of pollutants referred to in the Government's National Air Quality Strategy and will have regard to the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy. London Boroughs should also take account of the findings of the Air Quality Review and Assessments and Actions plans, in particular where Air Quality Management Areas have been designated. The Council has a network of Air Quality Monitoring stations but recognises that this can be widened to improve understanding of air quality impacts. The Council may therefore require new major development in an AQMA to fund additional air quality monitoring stations to assist in managing air quality improvements. Noise The Council will investigate Hillingdon's target areas identified in the Defra Noise Action Plans, promote the maximum possible reduction in noise levels and will minimise the number of people potentially affected. The Council will seek to identify and protect Quiet Areas in accordance with Government Policy on sustainable development and other Local Plan policies. The Council will seek to ensure that noise sensitive development and noise generating development are only permitted if noise impacts can be adequately controlled and mitigated. Land Contamination The Council will expect proposals for development on contaminated land to provide mitigation strategies that reduce the impacts on surrounding land uses. Major development proposals will be expected to demonstrate a sustainable approach to remediation that includes techniques to reduce the need to landfill. Water Resources The Council will require that all new development demonstrates the incorporation of water efficiency measures within new development to reduce the rising demand on potable water. All new development must incorporate water recycling and collection facilities unless it can be demonstrated it is not appropriate. For residential developments, the Council will require applicants to demonstrate that water consumption will not surpass 105 litres per person per day.

Safeguarding Mineral Resources

The Council will safeguard mineral resources in Hillingdon from other forms of development that would prejudice future mineral extraction. The Council will define the 'Mineral Safeguarding Area' in the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Site Specific Allocations Local Development Document based on the geologically mapped sand and gravel resource that is considered to be of current and future economic importance. Major developments in the Area will only be permitted where it has been demonstrated that: a. the mineral concerned is no longer of any value or potential value, or b. the mineral can be extracted prior to the development taking place, or c. the development will not inhibit extraction if required in the future, or d. there is an overriding need for the development and prior extraction cannot be reasonably undertaken, or e. the development is allocated in a local development document, or f. the development is not incompatible. The Council will also safeguard areas within 250m of the Preferred Mineral Safeguarding Area as a buffer for the future extraction of the sand and gravel reserve, to safeguard the resource from the impact of 'proximal development'.

Heritage

The Council will: 1. Conserve and enhance Hillingdon's distinct and varied environment, its settings and the wider historic landscape, which includes: Historic village cores, Metro-land suburbs, planned residential estates and 19th and 20th century industrial areas, including the Grand Union Canal and its features; Designated heritage assets such as statutorily Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Scheduled Ancient Monuments; Registered Parks and Gardens and historic landscapes, both natural and designed; Locally recognised historic features, such as Areas of Special Local Character and Locally Listed Buildings; and Archaeologically significant areas, including Archaeological Priority Zones and Areas. 2. Actively encourage the regeneration of heritage assets, particularly those which have been included in English Heritage's 'Heritage at Risk' register or are currently vacant. 3. Promote increased public awareness, understanding of and access to the borough's heritage assets and wider historic environment, through Section 106 agreements and via community engagement and outreach activities. 4. Encourage the reuse and modification of heritage assets, where appropriate, when considering proposals to mitigate or adapt to the effects of climate change. Where negative impact on a heritage asset is identified, seek alternative approaches to achieve similar climate change mitigation outcomes without damage to the asset.

Housing Growth

The Council will meet and exceed its minimum strategic dwelling requirement, where this can be achieved, in accordance with other Local Plan policies. The borough's current target is to provide an additional 4,250 dwellings, annualised as 425 dwellings per year, for the ten year period between 2011 and 2021. Rolled forward to 2026, this target equates to a minimum provision of 6,375 dwellings over the period of the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 1- Strategic Policies. Sites that will contribute to the achievement of this target will be identified in the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Site Specific Allocations Local Development Document (LDD).

Affordable Housing

Housing provision is expected to include a range of housing to meet the needs of all types of households and the Council will seek to maximise the delivery of affordable housing from all sites over the period of the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 1- Strategic Policies. For sites with a capacity of 10 or more units the Council will seek to ensure that the affordable housing mix reflects housing needs in the borough, particularly the need for larger family units.

Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Provision

The Council will ensure that: a. The existing Colne Park site will be protected for its current use; b. Targets for additional pitch provision take account of need and the availability of suitable sites; and c. Proposals for sites to accommodate the specific needs of Travellers (Irish and Scottish), Gypsies, Roma, Sinti and Travelling Show People should: i) Be located on a site and in an area that is environmentally acceptable for residential occupation; ii) Have no significant adverse effects on the amenity of occupiers of adjoining land; iii) Have acceptable road and pedestrian access and be accessible to local services and public transport; and iv) Be consistent with other relevant Local Plan policies.

National Planning Policy Framework - Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development

When considering development proposals the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. It will always work pro-actively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area. Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Local Plan (and, where relevant, with polices in neighbourhood plans) will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise – taking into account whether: Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or Specific policies in that Framework indicate that development should be restricted.

Town and Local Centres

The Council will accommodate additional retail growth in established centres, in accordance with the conclusions of the latest evidence base. Growth for comparison goods will be primarily accommodated in District Centres as set out in Table 5.5. If appropriate, specific locations for growth in convenience goods will be determined through the production of the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Site Specific Allocations Local Development Document. Planning decisions will be taken in accordance with the provisions of national guidance, particularly the sequential and impact tests. Further, more detailed policies will be outlined in the forthcoming Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Development Management Policies Local Development Document. The Council will improve town and neighbourhood centres across Hillingdon as set out in Map 5.3, and improve public transport, walking and cycling connections to town and neighbourhood centres whilst ensuring an appropriate level of parking provision is provided for accessibility to local services and amenities. Public transport will be improved to strengthen the viability and vitality of all town centres across the borough. Local parades will be protected, enhanced and managed to ensure they meet the needs of the local community and enhance the quality of life for local residents, particularly those without access to a car.

Uxbridge

The Council will strengthen the status of Uxbridge Town Centre as a Metropolitan Centre by delivering growth set out in Table 5.4 and promoting Uxbridge as a suitable location for retail, offices, hotels, recreation and leisure, entertainment and culture, evening and night-time economy, education, community services, and mixed-use development. The Council will secure improvements to Uxbridge public transport interchange and the town centre boundary will be expanded as shown on Map 5.2.

Town and Local Centres

The Council will accommodate additional retail growth in established centres, in accordance with the conclusions of the latest evidence base. Growth for comparison goods will be primarily accommodated in District Centres as set out in Table 5.5. If appropriate, specific locations for growth in convenience goods will be determined through the production of the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Site Specific Allocations Local Development Document. Planning decisions will be taken in accordance with the provisions of national guidance, particularly the sequential and impact tests. Further, more detailed policies will be outlined in the forthcoming Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2- Development Management Policies Local Development Document.

Accessible Local Destinations

The Council will steer development to the most appropriate locations in order to reduce their impact on the transport network. All development should encourage access by sustainable modes and include good cycling and walking provision. The Council will ensure access to local destinations which provide services and amenities. The Council will promote active travel through improvements to Hillingdon's public rights of way.

Public Transport Interchanges

The Council will facilitate improved public transport interchanges at Uxbridge, Hayes, West Drayton, Heathrow Airport, West Ruislip and other locations as appropriate in the future. These interchanges will accommodate measures to encourage subsequent shorter journeys to be completed on foot or by cycle.

North-South Sustainable Transport Links

The Council will improve north-south public transport links in the borough and link residential areas directly with employment areas and transport interchanges.

Heathrow Airport

Recognising the economic importance of the airport to the borough this Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 1-Strategic Policies will support the sustainable operation of Heathrow within its present boundaries and growth in the Heathrow Opportunity Area by facilitating improvements to public transport and cycle links, enhancing the public transport interchange to provide the opportunity for a modal shift from the use of private cars and from short haul air to sustainable transport modes and providing transport infrastructure to accommodate economic and housing growth whilst improving environmental conditions, for example noise and local air quality for local communities.

Crossrail

Subject to the other local priorities set out in this Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 1- Strategic Policies and other Part 2 Policies, the Council will seek planning contributions from appropriate commercial development towards the provision of the Crossrail project in accordance with the requirements of the London Plan.