Planning in Hounslow

PROVIDING AND PROTECTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES

(a) Ensuring that existing community facilities continue to be used for the benefit of the community where they are still providing the intended community service; (b) Promoting the co-location of different uses and users within community facilities where there are opportunities for effective management of dual use; and (c) Promoting new community facilities in areas of growth and where identified in the council's Infrastructure Delivery Plan. (d) Meet the following criteria if the scheme will result in the loss of a community use and is not re-providing the existing community use elsewhere, at an equivalent capacity that suits existing and future needs and has been agreed with the council; i. The facility has been vacant or significantly underused for a continuous period of 18 months and is not appropriate for any other community uses as demonstrated by the applicant through evidence of sufficient marketing; ii. The facility is no longer required by the body that operates it (for example NHS England); and iii. Robust evidence has shown that the use is no longer required to serve its catchment area; and (e) Locate new community facilities within or at the edge of town centres, unless the new facility is local in nature and scale and where a local need for the facility can be demonstrated.

EDUCATION AND SCHOOL PLACES

(a) Supporting the delivery of high quality new and expanded primary, secondary and special schools, in areas of identified need and where it can be evidenced that the school is providing for an unmet demand for places; (b) Allocating sites and working with other school providers to meet the additional number of forms of entry required to support the provision of primary, secondary and special needs places for the increased population over the plan period; (c) Supporting the provision of 'bulge' classes and temporary accommodation, but only where required in the short term and a longer term strategy is in place; (d) Encouraging the mixed-use of sites which are suitable for delivering education facilities with other appropriate uses, particularly residential, to enable the provision of needed school places within the borough; (e) Supporting the growth and improvement of further and higher education facilities in the borough and looking for opportunities to bring a new university to the borough; (f) Supporting the provision and improvement of early years places and facilities in light of changing statutory responsibilities of the local authority; and (g) Working and co-operating with neighbouring boroughs in planning for school places through established forums and other mechanisms. (h) Deliver new schools or expanded existing schools in locations that are included in the development plan as site allocations unless a robust case for not providing or expanding a school at that location can demonstrate that: i. The school accommodation is not required in that part of the Borough in the Plan period; or ii. A development for school use at that location would not be viable because it would not meet funding requirements. (i) Demonstrate that a new or expanded education facility, where the site has not been allocated for education use, will provide for an unmet demand for school places; (j) Demonstrate that the impact in terms of traffic, car parking and noise from a new or expanded education facility will not cause severe harm to the surrounding area; (k) Demonstrate that a new or expanded education facility is accessible by a choice of sustainable modes of travel in accordance with the type of facility being proposed and that car parking provision is in accordance with the standards set out in the London Plan; and (l) Be accompanied by a Travel Plan for a new or expanded education facility, to be agreed with the council and implemented throughout the lifetime of the development.

EDUCATION AND SCHOOL PLACES

(a) Supporting the delivery of new education facilities which will provide school places to meet the assessed need of the borough through mixed provision, including through new and expanded Free Schools and Academies. (b) Where a site has been allocated in part or in whole for education uses and it is demonstrated that the allocated need has been delivered elsewhere, or has been assessed to be no longer relevant, the site may be used for other purposes. (c) Supporting proposals which bring forward both housing and education uses on allocated sites where the mix of uses is appropriate. (d) Supporting proposals for non-education development on sites allocated in whole or in part for education uses, where supporting evidence demonstrates that the education need has been delivered elsewhere or is no longer relevant, or where an open book financial viability assessment demonstrates that an education use cannot meet funding requirements. (e) Ensuring that new facilities for further and higher education in the borough contribute to the skills and employment agenda. (f) Seeking to improve the offer of higher education facilities within the borough.

HEALTH FACILITIES AND HEALTHY PLACES

(a) Supporting the delivery of new health facilities in areas of need, as identified by Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) or a subsequent commissioning body and through the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JNSA) or subsequent assessments. This will include: i. The redevelopment of Heston Health Centre; and ii. A primary care centre at the West Middlesex Hospital site; (b) Supporting the improvement and modernisation of existing health facilities through partnership working with the relevant health service providers. This will include improvements to Chiswick Health Centre; and (c) Promoting measures which will help to prevent the health issues identified in the Hounslow JSNA or subsequent assessments and make the borough a healthy place to live. (d) Contribute to the health and well-being of the local community where possible, using guidelines such as Active Design; and (e) Where required, use the outcomes of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to mitigate negative impacts and health risks arising from the scheme.

CULTURE AND LEISURE FACILITIES

(a) Supporting the delivery of new culture and leisure facilities as identified through the Hounslow Culture and Leisure Strategy; (b) Supporting the improvement and upgrade of existing culture and leisure facilities; and (c) Allocating sites to deliver new culture and leisure facilities within the borough and where necessary to secure re-provision of existing leisure and cultural facilities to more appropriate locations. (d) Locate leisure and cultural facilities in accessible places and ensure they are designed to enable access to all potential users.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

(a) Supporting the delivery of new, expanded and improved places of worship which address the issues of impact on the surrounding area. (b) Demonstrate that the following criteria have been complied with when proposing a new place of worship: i. The proposed place of worship meets an identified need and is of an appropriate scale for that need; ii. The proposal will not have a severe negative impact on the residential amenity of the area; iii. Mitigation measures are in place for any larger scale events that will be held at the place of worship; iv. Mitigation measures are in place where required to minimise the impact of noise pollution on the surrounding area; and v. There will be sufficient off-street car parking to accommodate the anticipated users of the place of worship at both normal and peak times of use, while in accordance with the standards set out in the London Plan. (c) Be accompanied by a Transport Assessment to demonstrate that adverse impacts on the transport network are avoided or mitigated.

OPEN SPACE IN EDUCATION USE

(a) Meeting the requirements of policies GB1 or GB2 where applicable, and otherwise minimising the release of open space with an education use so that development is permitted only where it can be shown that significant adverse impact to the open space is avoided; and (b) Requiring enhancements to open space with an education use where development comes forward, including providing community access and the use of sports fields and facilities by other groups where possible. (c) Demonstrate there is need for increased education provision, consistent with Policy CI2; (d) Demonstrate that the open space is currently used for educational purposes; (e) Meet the requirements of policy GB1 where land is designated as Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land, or policy GB2 for land designated as Local Open Space. In other locations, development proposals should still minimise the impact on or loss of open space within an education use; (f) Retain and enhance playing fields, sports pitches and other existing uses in these spaces. It should be demonstrated that the quality of provision, and ability to make use of the pitch or open space, is not significantly impacted; and (g) Provide public access to open space where possible, including the use of sports fields and facilities.

Urban Design and Architecture

We will retain, promote and support high quality urban design and architecture to create attractive, distinctive, and liveable places. We will achieve this by (a) Ensuring proactive urban design forms an integral part of council development plans, programmes and processes, and prioritising design guidance for areas of change and intensification; (b) Working with applicants at an early stage (pre-application) to guide and shape the design of development proposals; (c) Reviewing built and proposed developments, decisions and advice to help raise design standards and awareness of the value of good design; (d) Working with housing providers to improve the design of estates as part of wider regeneration programmes; (e) Working with local communities to understand and improve the urban design of their areas through, for example neighbourhood plans; and (f) Using good practice guidance such as By Design, the Urban Design Compendium, the Mayor's Housing Design Guide, Mayor's Housing SPG, and Building for Life assessments. We will expect development proposals to (g) Understand, integrate and where possible add to the natural landscape; including the topography, geology, existing features, landscape context, local flora and fauna and wider ecological setting of an area. Schemes should ensure that trees are suitably sited, protected during detailed design and construction, and provide amenity for the long term through effective maintenance arrangements; (h) Deliver the right land use mix, amount and density in the right places to support the rejuvenation of our town centres and the creation of healthy, diverse and varied places; (i) Create places that are easy to get to and through, foster active lifestyles, are easy to understand and navigate and feel safe during the day and night, with a particular focus on pedestrians and cyclists; (j) Function well in themselves and in their effect on surrounding areas, have a positive impact on the amenity of current and future residents, visitors and passers-by and help create Lifetime Neighbourhoods that foster social interaction and capital; (k) Respond meaningfully and sensitively to the site, its characteristics and constraints, and the layout, grain, massing and height of surrounding buildings. The orientation of buildings and uses on sites to make best use of opportunities for passive design and access to daylight/sunlight should be considered; (l) Provide a clear distinction between private, semi-private and public space, through an understanding of fronts and backs of buildings, ground floor uses, and continuity of street frontages and enclosure of space to help foster comfortable, usable and safe places; (m) Provide a high quality, comfortable, safe and attractive public realm, well-integrated into its surroundings through using clear, well-defined boundary and building lines to address and animate the public realm; (n) Ensure buildings and spaces are designed to stand the test of time and are easily adaptable and resilient to social, economic and technological change, and can accommodate movement and car parking in a safe and useable way; (o) Promote and support contemporary architecture that responds intelligently to current and future lifestyles, needs and technology, whilst ensuring it's rooted in local context, at all scales; (p) Promote low carbon design and incorporate energy efficiency measures that are themselves well integrated into the design and appearance of the development; (q) Carefully consider external appearance, its composition and arrangement, through the use of high quality, durable materials and finishes and careful, considered detailing for building facades which add visual interest and richness to the street scene. A clear indication of how buildings are used and occupied should be presented, seizing opportunities for passive design wherever possible; (r) Be designed to mitigate noise and air quality issues which significantly affect parts of the borough; (s) Be designed so it is fully accessible to people with disabilities or impaired mobility; (t) Provide adequate outlook, minimise overbearingness and overshadowing, and ensure sufficient sunlight and daylight to proposed and adjoining/adjacent dwellings; reduce reliance on single aspect dwellings, particularly if north facing, within noise bands C and D (as defined in the Noise Supplementary Planning Document) or containing 3 bedrooms or more; provide adequate levels of privacy and minimise direct overlooking through the careful layout, design and orientation of buildings and spaces; and (u) Make well-designed provision for bicycles, and the acceptable storage of refuse, materials for recycling and composting and for convenient access for its deposit and collection in consultation with the council's waste services. Enclosures should be robust, well ventilated and attractively integrated with the building and screened for privacy and security.

Tall Buildings

To contribute to regeneration and growth, we will support tall buildings of high quality in identified locations which accord with the principles of sustainable development. We will achieve this by (a) Supporting tall buildings in Hounslow town centre; (b) Supporting a limited number of tall buildings in Feltham town centre; (c) Supporting a limited number of tall buildings in Brentford town centre. These should be car

Context and Character

(a) Improving and promoting the appreciation of the character and qualities of the distinctive areas of the borough, by securing development that sensitively and creatively responds to an area's character and by refusing poor quality design; (b) Sustaining and conserving those areas which have a high quality, well established and coherent character that is sensitive to change; (c) Enhancing those areas which have a medium quality, mixed character and which would benefit from sensitive improvement and intervention; (d) Transforming those areas which have a low quality, poorly defined character and/or where an opportunity exists to establish a new coherent character, enhancing positive elements where they exist; and (e) Monitoring and updating the Urban Context and Character Study and ensuring the study informs any supplementary planning documents. (f) Have due regard to the Urban Context and Character Study and demonstrate how the proposal: i. Responds to the design recommendations for each character area and urban type within which their development proposal is located. ii. Responds to the wider context and history of the area, its communities, its natural landscape and its urban structure, form and function. iii. Conserves and takes opportunities to enhance particular features or qualities that contribute to an area's character, e.g. mature trees. iv. Provides opportunities to help form a new character or improve the poor aspects of an existing character that could benefit from enhancement; and v. Responds to any local architectural vernacular that contributes to an area's character, for example bay windows.

TALL BUILDINGS

Our approach To contribute to regeneration and growth, we will support tall buildings of high quality in identified locations which accord with the principles of sustainable development. We will achieve this by (a) Supporting tall buildings in Hounslow town centre; (b) Supporting a limited number of tall buildings in Feltham town centre; (c) Supporting a limited number of tall buildings in Brentford town centre. These should be carefully designed and sensitively placed so as not to have a significant adverse impact on the setting of, views from and between heritage assets including Royal Botanic Gardens Kew World Heritage Site, Syon Park and the Thames foreshore landscape. They should also respect and respond to the area's special townscape and heritage value; (d) Supporting tall buildings along sections of the A4 Golden Mile frontage. Specific sites will be identified in the Great West Corridor Plan subject to the delivery of strategic public transport improvements. These should be carefully placed so as not to create a wall of tall buildings, ensuring they relate sensitively to surrounding residential areas and do not have a significant adverse impact on the setting of, or views from heritage assets including Gunnersbury Park, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew World Heritage Site, Syon Park and Osterley Park; (e) Preserving the predominantly 2 to 3 storey (less than 10m) building heights across the rest of the borough with some limited scope for 4 to 6 storey (up to 20m) buildings/elements along main streets (for example London Road), to assist with way-finding and where the opportunity exists for higher density development; (f) Not seeking to replace existing tall buildings which are in inappropriate locations (assessed against the criteria of this policy) and not allowing them to be a justification for the provision of new ones; (g) Undertaking more detailed design analysis including a study to identify spatial sensitivities; and (h) Working with our partners, particularly Historic England and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew World Heritage Site. We will expect tall building development proposals to (i) Be sensitively located and be of a height and scale that is in proportion to its location and setting, and carefully relate and respond to the character of the surrounding area; (j) Be of the highest architectural design and standards; be attractive, robust and sustainable; (k) Be of a scale that reflects their relevance and hierarchical importance when located within a grouping/cluster of tall buildings; (l) Be designed to give full consideration to its form, massing and silhouette, including any cumulative impacts, and the potential impact of this on the immediate and wider context; (m) Relate heights to widths of spaces to achieve comfortable proportions, and provide a positive edge to the public realm and a human scale through the careful treatment of ground floors and lower levels; (n) Provide for a comfortable and pleasant microclimate which minimises wind vortices and over-shadowing; (o) Provide for biodiversity within the building form and be sensitive to surrounding open spaces including waterways to ensure minimal impact; (p) Take opportunities to enhance the setting of surrounding heritage assets, the overall skyline and views; (q) Carefully consider the façade and overall detailing to ensure visual interest, vertical and horizontal rhythms, an indication of how the building is inhabited, internal thermal comfort and the visual break-up of the building visually at varying scales; (r) Use materials and finishes that are robust, durable and of the highest quality, with facades providing innate interest, variety and function; (s) Incorporate innovative approaches to provide high quality, usable, private and communal amenity space where residential uses are proposed; and (t) Comply with the requirements of the Public Safety Zone.

Advertisement Panels, Hoardings and Structures

(a) Focusing advertisements in town centres, shopping parades and areas of commercial activity; (b) Ensuring that advertisements do not adversely impact on the setting of heritage assets, the skyline or the amenity of residential properties. Any impact will be assessed in terms of its significance; (c) Encouraging all corporate branding, signage and advertisements (including illuminated advertisements and lighting) positively contribute to an area and resisting adverts that will cause severe harm in terms of townscape, amenity and public safety; (d) Reviewing the existing Areas of Special Advertisement Control and where appropriate, designating additional areas for protection due to their sensitivities; and (e) Encouraging the use of temporary shrouds and advertising where these make a positive contribution to the appearance of an area during construction or on-site works; (f) Describe the advertisement and the supporting structures in every case; (g) Demonstrate that the advertisement and associated structure are of a size, design, scale and degree of illumination that is compatible with the surrounding buildings, other advertising and the wider area; (h) Demonstrate that the advertisement, the illumination and associated structure do not appear obtrusive or unduly dominant on the skyline, including during the hours of darkness. Reference should be made to the requirements of the ILP (Institute of Lighting Professionals) Technical Note 5; (i) Be of a high quality design to support the enhancement of the borough's amenity. Advertisements on buildings should be integral to the building's design, working with the elevation and any architectural features, and relevant to the use and context. Proposals should not detract from the elevation or any architectural features to ensure that they are compatible with existing amenity. Free standing adverts should be well designed as architectural elements and avoid any impact on important views. A proliferation of stand-alone advertisements and billboards will be resisted as being harmful to townscape amenity; (j) Demonstrate that the advert is sensitively placed and designed to not adversely impact the setting of heritage assets and strategic or local views; (k) Demonstrate that the advertisement will not result in visual clutter or a proliferation of harmful advertising; (l) Demonstrate that the advertisement and associated structure does not adversely impact on pedestrian and vehicle movement and safety; (m) Contribute good quality hard and soft landscaping to enhance the appearance of the area; and (n) Demonstrate that the advertisement, its illumination and associated structure will not adversely impact (or cumulatively impact) the amenity of residential areas or pedestrians.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

(a) Promoting sustainable design and construction, consistent with the principles established in the London Plan; (b) Using national standards for sustainable design and construction to assess environmental credentials of developments, and requiring schemes to meet specified levels as minimum; and (c) Encouraging the take-up of opportunities to improve the resource efficiency of existing homes and buildings through refurbishment to retrofitting, including through working with partner agencies such as Historic England to secure improvements in heritage assets. (d) Incorporate established principles for sustainable design and construction as set out in the London Plan, including passive solar design, water efficiency standards, sustainable drainage, the reuse and recycling of construction materials, green roofs and urban greening; (e) Be assessed against the standards for sustainable design and construction set out in Table EQ2.1 and submit relevant documentation to demonstrate that minimum specified levels are met or meet any national standards that subsequently supersede these; and (f) Prepare a sustainability statement, where major developments are proposed.

PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

(a) Proposing new employment uses on Allocated Sites identified in the Local Plan and its subsequent reviews; (b) Directing new offices to the borough's four town centres; and (c) Directing new industrial/ warehousing and related development to the borough's Strategic Industrial Sites, Locally Significant Industrial sites and other existing industrial sites. We will expect development proposals to (d) Provide flexible space within residential units, particularly in town centres, that can be used for home working and start-up space wherever feasible; and (e) Provide incubator space appropriate for start-up businesses as part of employment related or town centre mixed use development proposals, subject to demand and viability considerations.

ENHANCING LOCAL SKILLS

Our approach: We will seek planning obligations towards employment training, including apprenticeships, and job brokerage where related in scale and kind to the development; and Supporting the location of higher and further education colleges within the borough to provide new training opportunities for local residents. We will expect development proposals to (c) Deliver construction training in conjunction with the council's recognised providers for all major developments; and (d) Enter into agreements with the council where appropriate to provide local access to new training and employment opportunities.

PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Outside town centres and major employment locations, there are small businesses which contribute to the diversity of the local economy. A good quality range of office space will be required to meet the ever-changing needs of business in terms of size, location and costs. Whilst there is less evidence of demand for offices in out-of-centre locations, small scale offices in out-of-centre locations contribute to the diversity of the local economy.

MAINTAINING THE BOROUGH'S EMPLOYMENT LAND SUPPLY

(a) In accordance with the London Plan, protecting designated Strategic Industrial Locations (the Great West Corridor Industrial Business Park, Transport Avenue Preferred Industrial Location and North Feltham Trading Estate Preferred Industrial Location) and designated Locally Significant Industrial Sites, as identified on the Policies Map (b) Setting the monitoring benchmark for the loss of industrial land to 6ha to ensure that an adequate supply of industrial capacity is maintained in the borough throughout the plan period. The loss of industrial land will be regularly monitored against this figure; and (c) Managing and protecting Key Existing Office Locations as identified on the Policies Map namely the borough's four town centres (Hounslow, Chiswick, Brentford and Feltham), Chiswick Business Park, Bedfont Lakes and sections of the Great West Road. (d) Provide an assessment demonstrating that development proposals do not compromise the objectives of the SIL or LSIS designations and/or accord, where relevant, with the objectives of the Great West Strategic Outer London Development Centre; (e) Submit the following information where a loss of B1a, B1b, B1c, B2 or B8 or similar employment uses is proposed outside of SILs and LSISs: i. Evidence of active marketing of the site for employment uses for a period of at least two years in Key Existing Office Locations or for a period of at least one year in other locations; ii. An assessment demonstrating that the introduction of non-employment uses is necessary to achieve sufficient viability to deliver a development scheme. Preference will be given to the provision of new employment uses, followed by a mix of employment and non-employment uses. Proposals for non-employment uses will only be considered once the retention of employment uses has been shown to be unviable; and iii. Evidence that surrounding employment uses/ sites will not be undermined; (f) Facilities that support and enhance employment uses such as a workplace crèche or café may be acceptable where they are of a small scale ancillary to the overall employment function of the site.

HOTELS AND VISITOR ACCOMMODATION

(a) Supporting proposals for visitor accommodation where they contribute to the area's economic role or tourism offer; and (b) Directing proposals for visitor accommodation to the borough's four town centres, and considering proposals in other locations based on sequential and impact assessments as set out in Policy TC3; (c) Seek to locate in one of the borough's four town centres. Where suitable locations within town centres are not available, edge-of-town centre sites that are well connected to the town centre or sites within large neighbourhood centres should be chosen; (d) Demonstrate through a sequential assessment that there are no available sites in a nearby town centre, an edge-of-town-centre location or a large neighbourhood centre where visitor accommodation is proposed in out-of-centre locations, with preference for sites that are well connected to town centres; (e) Demonstrate that they do not harm the vitality and vibrancy of nearby town centres;

ENERGY AND CARBON REDUCTION

(a) Promoting opportunities to secure carbon reductions where development comes forward, including through a potential Community Energy Fund to provide for allowable solutions, or a local carbon offset fund to provide local low carbon projects; (b) Encouraging developments to incorporate renewable energy and low carbon technologies; and (c) Working with partners to identify opportunities for carbon reductions and encouraging the take-up of opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of the existing built environment. All developments (d) Meet the carbon emission reduction requirements set out in the London Plan. All major developments (e) Connect to, or extend, existing decentralised heating, cooling or power networks in the vicinity of the site, unless a feasibility or viability assessment demonstrates that connection is not reasonably possible. Where networks do not currently exist, developments should make provision to connect to any potential future decentralised energy network in the vicinity of the site, having regard to opportunities identified through the London Heat Map and area specific energy plans; (f) Evaluate the feasibility and viability of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems and, where appropriate, examine the feasibility of extending the system beyond the site boundary, where developments cannot immediately connect to an existing heating or cooling network; and (g) Where appropriate make a financial contribution to an agreed borough-wide programme for carbon reductions where required reductions cannot be achieved on-site.

BIODIVERSITY

To prevent the degradation of natural habitats, designated sites will be protected, and development proposal must demonstrate that they do not cause adverse impacts, whilst contributing to their qualitative improvements through providing better access or on-site improvements. Open space provision in development provides an opportunity to create new habitats through landscaping, tree planting and the retention of existing trees, and innovative design features such as green roofs, artificial nesting structures for bats or birds, and rain gardens.

ALLOTMENTS, AGRICULTURE AND LOCAL FOOD GROWING

(a) Retaining the existing allotments and resisting their loss unless in accordance with the borough's Allotment Strategy; (b) Protecting agricultural land; (c) Working with partners and local communities to identify sites with potential for local food growing and supporting projects that promote community gardening, farming and orchards; and (d) Supporting initiatives for commercial food production. We will expect development proposals to (e) Be consistent with and positively contribute to the open space and/or nature conservation designation of the land; (f) Retain allotments and the best and most versatile agricultural land, unless it can be demonstrated that they are no longer required or viable for such purposes. In the event that such land is no longer required, the feasibility of appropriate alternative open space uses which allow the site to maintain its value for growing food such as community gardens or orchards, should be considered first; and (g) Avoid adverse impacts on adjacent allotments or agricultural land.

PLAY SPACE, OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES AND BURIAL SPACE

(a) Promoting the provision of high quality play spaces that cater for a range of age groups and help meet the needs of the borough's growing child population; (b) Supporting high quality sports facilities to meet demands for a range of sports and active pursuits across the borough, where they are acceptable uses in accordance with polices GB1 and GB2; (c) Promoting the multifunctional use of existing open space for play and sports, including school sports facilities and playing fields; (d) Ensuring burial space is preserved to ensure availability of provision to meet the borough's burial needs now and in the future; and (e) Resisting the loss of play areas or outdoor sports facilities, including playing fields. We will expect development proposals to (f) Be consistent with the open space and/or nature conservation designation of the land; (g) Avoid the loss of play areas, burial spaces or outdoor sports facilities, including playing fields, except in very special circumstances, as set out in the NPPF; (h) Ensure sports facilities retain the sense of openness. Where floodlighting can enable longer use of outdoor sports facilities, proposals should avoid unacceptable adverse impacts on local residents, biodiversity as set out in policy GB7 and/or the openness and setting of the open space; (i) Contribute to the provision of improved outdoor sports facilities, where possible; and (j) Contribute to the improvements or expansion of play spaces, and provide new play spaces where appropriate in accordance with the standards set out in the London Plan.

Minerals

We will contribute to London's aggregate supply by safeguarding potential extraction sites. Where extraction takes place, the restoration of sites will leave them in better condition than before quarrying began, and deliver new nature conservation and recreational assets for the community. We will achieve this by (a) Allocating Rectory Farm (site reference 58, as shown in Figure EQ10.1) as an extraction site to meet the borough's London Plan apportionment of 700,000 tonnes. Proposals for other uses will be refused where minerals have not been extracted, unless the use is on a strictly temporary basis that is unlikely to delay the practical commencement of extraction operations, or where an overriding community need for the proposed development outweighs the need for the mineral resource; (b) Safeguarding other sites with minerals reserves (as identified on the Policies Map as Land South of Hatton, Mayfield Farm, Land West of Thames Water works at Kempton, and Land to the rear of Western International Market) so that their potential contribution to the borough's aggregate supply is considered before development takes place that could prevent future extraction; and (c) Promoting the recycling of construction, demolition and excavation waste, consistent with the West London Waste Plan. (d) Promoting the sustainable movement of aggregates, including safeguarding railheads used for distribution. We will expect development proposals to (e) Submit a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with any planning application for minerals extraction, and adopt an Environmental Management System (EMS) to outline measures to address environmental impacts identified in the EIA. Thereafter the minerals development should be conducted in accordance with the operating procedures and targets of the EMS and a copy of the performance monitoring report shall be submitted to the council annually; and (f) Give due consideration to the aftercare and restoration of sites, including the creation of new habitats for biodiversity.

FLOOD RISK AND SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT

(a) Using the sequential and exceptions tests to inform planning decisions in flood risk areas to ensure inappropriate development is avoided; (b) Promoting improved surface water drainage across the borough, by working with partners to identify, manage and reduce the risk of surface water flooding; (c) Promoting the opening up of river corridors and making space for water through the creation of buffer zones to water courses and increasing floodplain connectivity; (d) Working with partners to ensure the provision and maintenance of flood defences, in line with the Infrastructure Delivery Plan; (e) Encouraging the take-up of opportunities to improve flood resistance and resilience in the borough's existing built environment, including drainage improvements, flood guards and raising electrical sockets and other vulnerable fittings; and (f) Working with the Environment Agency to implement actions of the Thames Estuary 2100 plan. (g) Prepare flood risk assessments, consistent with the requirements of the Environment Agency and the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, and apply the sequential approach within site boundaries to ensure flood risk is further decreased; (h) Incorporate necessary flood resistance and resilience measures, including ensuring that adequate flood defences are in place and maintained through the lifetime of the development; (i) Incorporate sustainable drainage systems and avoid non-permeable hard standings with the aim of achieving greenfield runoff rates and being consistent with the Surface Water Management Plan; and (j) Where adjacent to the River Thames, demonstrate that they will not preclude future rising or set back of the defence as identified in the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan to ensure adequate flood protection for the lifetime of the development.

Air Quality

We will seek to reduce the potential air quality impacts of development and promote improved air quality conditions across the borough, in line with the Air Quality Action Plan. We will achieve this by (a) Assessing the potential air quality impacts of development proposals; (b) Encouraging air quality-sensitive development to be located in the most appropriate places, and requiring mitigation measures to minimise adverse impacts on end users through planning conditions; and (c) Ensuring that development does not exacerbate existing air pollution and wherever possible improves air quality, by promoting development that reduces and limits exposure to emissions through on-site mitigation and is 'air quality neutral', and through promoting sustainable design and seeking developer contributions where appropriate, consistent with the London Plan, the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy and the National Air Quality Strategy. We will expect development proposals to (d) Carry out air quality assessments where major developments or change of use to air quality sensitive uses are proposed, considering the potential impacts of air pollution from the development on the site and neighbouring areas, and the potential for end users to be exposed to air pollution, consistent with requirements established in the Air Quality SPD, the London Plan and in government and European policy are met; and (e) Incorporate mitigation measures where air quality assessments show that developments could cause or exacerbate air pollution, or where end users could be exposed to air pollution.

Noise

We will seek to reduce the impact of noise from aviation, transport and noise-generating uses, and require the location and design of new development to have considered the impact of noise, and mitigation of these impacts, on new users and surrounding uses according to their sensitivity. We will achieve this by (a) Assessing the potential noise impacts of development proposals where they are located near to noise-sensitive uses (such as housing) or existing sources of noise; (b) Directing noise-sensitive development to locations outside those areas identified where noise exposure is likely to cause adverse effects in terms of public health and well-being and children's cognitive learning in schools; (c) Ensuring noise-sensitive development is protected against existing and proposed sources of noise through careful design, layout and use of materials, adequate insulation of the building envelope (including both internal/external walls and ceilings), as well as protecting external amenity areas; (d) Encouraging the uptake of measures to decrease noise nuisance in the built environment, including working with Heathrow Airport to improve conditions for households and other noise-sensitive uses exposed to high levels of noise, consistent with the Aviation Policy Framework; and (e) Considering the designation of Quiet Areas and identifying and protecting areas of tranquility which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are valued for their recreational and amenity value for this reason. We will expect development proposals to (f) Carry out noise assessments where major schemes or a change of use to a more noise-sensitive use are proposed, detailing on site noise levels both internally and in any external amenity space, and the potential impact of the development on surrounding uses; (g) Minimise noise disturbance from adjoining uses by incorporating sound insulation or alternative forms of noise barrier, using appropriate materials and arranging and locating rooms appropriately (such as through stacking rooms of similar use above/adjacent to each other), including where conversions or change of use are proposed; (h) Ensure that noise mitigation measures are implemented, to demonstrate compliance with British Standard BS8233: 2014 - Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings, as appropriate; (i) Demonstrate that new plant and machinery (including ventilation) do not harm the amenity of neighbouring properties and generate noise level that is at least 10dB below the background noise levels; and (j) Be located outside of the 69 dB LAeq 16hrs noise contour of Heathrow Airport where noise-sensitive uses (i.e. residential, nursing/care homes, schools/educational establishments, hospitals/healthcare facilities) are proposed, consistent with Section 2 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Manage

LIGHTING

Our approach: We will reduce the light pollution impacts of development, and promote reduced light pollution and sky glow across the borough. We will achieve this by (a) Assessing the potential light impacts of development proposals; (b) Encouraging proposals to introduce automated timing systems to operate on 'night-time mode' when buildings are not in use; and (c) Refusing proposals which result in an adverse impact on local and residential amenity, wildlife and biodiversity. We will expect development proposals to (d) Minimise light pollution by providing the minimum amount of light necessary to achieve its purpose and energy efficiency measures; (e) Incorporate energy efficiency measures; (f) Provide adequate protection from glare and light spill to sensitive receptors; (g) Demonstrate that proposals will not adversely impact on biodiversity and environments; and (h) Submit a light assessment report where necessary, and mitigate the level of illumination, glare and spillage of light, in line with guidance produced by the Institute of Lighting Engineers and Building Research Establishment.

SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Our approach: We will work with the West London Waste Authority boroughs to meet our waste apportionment, whilst promoting the prevention, re-use, recycling and recovery of waste, consistent with the waste hierarchy. We will achieve this by (a) Working with the West London Waste Authority boroughs to manage the borough's London Plan waste apportionment as set out in the West London Waste Plan; (b) Promoting improvements to wastewater infrastructure, including the Mogden Sewage Treatment Works; and (c) Providing in-principle support for proposals for new sewage and wastewater infrastructure, including the Thames Tideway Sewer Tunnels. We will expect development proposal to (d) Incorporate suitable arrangements for waste management, including the location, size and design of waste and recycling facilities, and transport access.

Contamination

We will ensure that contamination is properly considered and promote the remediation of land where development comes forward, consistent with the council's Contaminated Land Strategy and the NPPF. We will achieve this by (a) Assessing development proposals to determine the suitability of the proposed use in relation to conditions on site; (b) Promoting the remediation of contaminated or potentially contaminated land, and the improvement of land conditions and water quality in all areas, as regeneration takes place and development proposals come forward; and (c) Supporting the provision of infrastructure for decontamination and soil remediation. We will expect development proposals to (d) Present adequate site investigation information, including an assessment of the site's history, potential contamination sources, pathways and receptors, and where appropriate, physical investigation, chemical testing, assessment of ground gas risks and assessments of risks to groundwater; (e) Present proposals for the control of any risks from contamination that may be present; (f) Demonstrate that contamination has not been caused during development, including demonstrating that imported materials are of suitable quality; (g) Have regard to sustainability considerations where remediation is required, including controlling the quantities of material removed from or imported to the site; (h) Present evidence to demonstrate that following completion the risks from contamination have been controlled effectively in accordance with the development proposals; and (i) Ensure that the contamination of water is avoided, and where possible include measures to improve water quality through sustainable design and construction.

Hazardous Substances

We will ensure that proposals involving or located nearby hazardous substances do not pose unacceptable health and safety risks. We will achieve this by (a) Ensuring that proposals involving hazardous substances are only located where they would not cause potential health and safety risks to neighbouring uses, and preventing other uses from locating near potentially polluting substances where future users could be at risk; (b) Consulting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency on proposals involving hazardous substances where required; and We will expect development proposals to (c) Ensure that proposals involving hazardous substances do not cause potential health and safety risks to neighbouring uses; (d) Ensure that future users are not vulnerable to health and safety risks where the proposal is located near existing hazardous substances; and (e) Apply for hazardous substances consent (HSC) where required.

Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land

We will protect and enhance Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land to maintain its openness, quality and permanence. This will be achieved through the positive management of both designations and improving public access. We will achieve this by (a) Establishing a Green Belt boundary, to ensure that it is strong and permanent; (b) Establishing the extent of Metropolitan Open Land in line with the Mayor of London's designation; (c) Protecting Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land by ensuring that any development is not inappropriate and meets the purposes of the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land; and (d) Working with partners to improve public access to the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land, including the promotion of sports, recreation, leisure and cultural uses that fall within the acceptable uses outlined in the NPPF. We will expect development proposal to (e) Be compatible with and not inappropriate development in the Green Belt (as set out in the NPPF) or Metropolitan Open Land (as outlined in the London Plan); (f) Carefully consider the cumulative impact of extensions and alterations to existing development in the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land; (g) Conserve and enhance the nature conservation, landscape and recreation and amenity value of Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land through positive management; (h) Improve public access to the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land; and (i) Maintain the openness, setting and visual amenity where it is located near the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land, with particular attention given to the location, setting, design, materials, height and landscaping.

Open Space

We will protect and enhance Local Open Space. We will achieve this by (a) Designating and protecting Local Open Space as shown on the Policies Map, in line with the NPPF and the London Plan; (b) Protecting and enhancing Local Open Space, addressing deficiencies in quality, quantity and access; (c) Maintaining the supply of Local Open Space to meet the needs of the borough's growing population, by expecting on-site provision of publicly accessible open space, particularly in major new developments in areas of deficiency; (d) Encouraging the provision of an appropriate balance and mix of open space types specific to meet needs in different parts of the borough, with specific reference to increasing the provision of parks and gardens; (e) Protecting quiet and tranquil areas of Local Open Space that are relatively undisturbed by noise and are valued for their recreation amenity attributes; and (f) Working with partners, friends groups, other stakeholders and the general public to improve and enhance the quality of and access to Local Open Space. We will expect development proposals to (g) Protect existing Local Open Space from development, especially where it would lead to a deficiency in publicly accessible open space, unless it satisfies the criteria for such development in the NPPF in that: it has been assessed as clearly surplus to requirements; or it would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in a suitable location; or the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the need for which clearly outweighs the loss; (h) Avoid the loss of or encroachment upon Local Open Space, or intrusion into an open aspect. Development ancillary to the open space use must preserve its predominantly open character; and (i) Enhance the provision of publicly accessible Local Open Space in the borough, especially in areas of open space deficiency as identified on an annual basis through Annual Monitoring Reports Major developments should achieve this through onsite provision wherever possible, particularly in areas of substantial change and intensification.

THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK

(a) Identifying and protecting the existing green infrastructure network, including the grid identified in the Mayor of London's All London Green Grid SPG; (b) Working with partners to deliver projects that enhance and maximise the benefits of the green infrastructure network. We will also promote the development of new green chains and corridors where these can benefit local residents and biodiversity, and contribute to wider environmental resilience; and (c) Promoting projects to improve access to the green infrastructure network and accessibility between open spaces, to form a network for sustainable travel, consistent with the council's Greenways and Quietways initiatives. (d) Make a positive contribution to the green infrastructure network by improving its quality, functions, linkages, accessibility, design and management; (e) Incorporating elements of green infrastructure on site to integrate into the wider network of green infrastructure, and assist in the greening of the borough. This may include provision of green roofs, sustainable drainage systems, trees, squares, plazas and pedestrian access routes; and (f) Demonstrate that there will be no significant adverse impact on the borough's green infrastructure.

BLUE RIBBON NETWORK

Strategic approach: (a) Ensuring development does not have unacceptable impacts on the waterbody, waterside environments and navigation, in line with the London Plan and guidance from the licensing stakeholder; (b) Recognising the strategic importance of the River Thames, including maintaining the established Thames Policy Area designation and through working with Thames Landscape Strategy partners to promote enhancement of the river environment; (c) Protecting and prioritising water-related uses and related infrastructure that supports the active use of the Blue Ribbon Network, including slipways, land storage, wet docks, dry docks, moorings, workshops, cranes, canopied warehouses, piers, marinas and boat launches; (d) Promoting opportunities for improved access to waterways, including the provision of infrastructure to support walking, cycling, leisure and recreation and river-based transport; (e) Recognising the role the Blue Ribbon Network plays in flood and surface water management, by safeguarding access to flood defences and working with the Environment Agency and other partners to implement the actions of the Thames Estuary 2100 plan; (f) Protecting aquatic and riverside habitats in the Blue Ribbon Network, consistent with the Hounslow Biodiversity Action Plan; and (g) Promoting the improvement of water quality in the Blue Ribbon Network, consistent with the Thames River Basin Management Plan, by working with the Environment Agency and other partners. Development proposals: (h) Demonstrate that adverse impacts on aquatic and waterside environments are avoided where developments in, over or adjacent to waterbodies are proposed (for residential moorings, refer to Policy GB6); (i) Have regard to the context and character of the Blue Ribbon Network, consistent with the Urban Context and Character Study and Thames Landscape Strategies, where development in the Thames Policy Area is proposed; (j) Restore waterbodies to their natural state in line with actions of the Thames River Basin Management Plan, and ensure developments are set back to provide a minimum 8m buffer strip to the main river, 16m to the Thames Tidal defence and 5m to ordinary watercourses. SuDS must be maximised on these sites to achieve an improvement in water quality in line with the aims of the Water Framework Directive; and (k) Provide an assessment of the impact of the proposal on the status of the waterbody, where it is likely that a proposal would have a significant adverse impact.

BIODIVERSITY

Strategic approach: (a) Permitting development only where it can be shown that significant adverse impact on biodiversity is avoided, mitigated, or as a last resort, compensated; (b) Protecting designated international, national and local nature conservation areas, as set in supporting facts, and supporting new designations; (c) Promoting the qualitative enhancement of biodiversity sites, including improvements to access, connectivity and the creation of new habitat; (d) Working with partners, including the Hounslow Biodiversity Partnership, the Crane Valley Partnership, the Brent Catchment Partnership and the Thames Landscape Strategy to improve conditions for biodiversity; and (e) Encouraging the greening of the borough, through landscaping and tree planting, and protecting existing trees through Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Development proposals: (f) Contribute to the greening of the borough, by incorporating green roofs and walls, landscaping, tree planting and other measures to promote biodiversity such as bat and bird boxes, through the preparation of ecological plans and strategies where major developments are proposed, thereby resulting in a gain for biodiversity in the borough; and (g) Contribute to the action plans set out in the Hounslow Biodiversity Action Plan.

HERITAGE

Our approach We will identify, conserve and take opportunities to enhance the significance of the borough's heritage assets as a positive means of supporting an area's distinctive character and sense of history. We will achieve this by (a) Collating a borough-wide Heritage Strategy to guide a long-term, ambitious strategy for the continued conservation, enhancement and enjoyment of the significance of the borough's heritage assets, in consultation with the borough's local history societies and residents; (b) Conserving and taking opportunities to enhance the significance of the borough's network of designated and non-designated heritage assets and their settings, identifying new assets where appropriate and recognising the cumulative positive impact of heritage assets in a given area in consultation with the borough's local history societies and residents. We will use Article 4 directions where appropriate to enhance conservation of character or fabric; (c) Promoting heritage-led regeneration, particularly where this brings long term value and sense of place to development, such as in our town centres and along the Golden Mile. We will aim to secure the regeneration of heritage assets at risk, including those within Gunnersbury Park, Hanworth Park, Boston Manor House and the former Hounslow Powder Mills sites; (d) Working with Royal Botanic Gardens Kew World Heritage Site, London Borough of Richmond and Historic England to conserve and enhance the outstanding universal values of The Royal Botanical Gardens Kew World Heritage Site, its buffer zone and its setting, including views to and from this asset. This includes assisting in the implementation of the World Heritage Site Management Plan; (e) Promoting the appropriate re-use of historic buildings and supporting schemes that conserve the significance of, and provide the heritage asset with a sustainable, long-term use; (f) Working with our network of partners to ensure the borough's heritage is accessible, appreciated, valued and enjoyed by residents, workers and visitors; (g) Conserving and enhancing the strategic and local views identified in the Urban Context and Character Study that give the borough its character, visual richness and coherence; and by maintaining and updating a schedule of views; and (h) Conserving and enhancing the borough's beneficial and historic landmarks identified in the Urban Context and Character Study, which provide a strong visual and physical presence in the townscape. We will expect development proposals to (i) Conserve and take opportunities to enhance any heritage asset and its setting in a manner appropriate to its significance; (j) Retain, conserve and reuse a heritage asset in a manner appropriate to its value and significance; (k) Demonstrate that substantial harm to or loss of a heritage asset is avoided, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated, consistent with the NPPF; (l) Demonstrate that where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset (see Glossary), this harm will be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal, including securing its optimum viable use; or (m) Have regard to any harm to, or loss of, the significance of a non-designated heritage asset, including from both direct and indirect effects. Non-designated heritage assets include locally listed buildings, Archaeological Priority Areas and areas of special local character. Buildings and structures (n) In the case of alterations, extensions or changes of use of a heritage asset a proposal should demonstrate that: i. It is in keeping with the character of the building and harmonious with its surroundings and the wider character of the area; and, with particular respect to listed buildings or identified aspects of locally listed buildings, it preserves their special architectural or historic character and any features they may possess; ii. It is of a high quality design and sympathetic in terms of scale and form to the original building and in the use of materials and other details to the period and style of the original building; iii. Opportunities to mitigate or adapt to climate change through the re-use or adaptation are maximised as long as this is not to the detriment of important aspects of character; iv. That it maintains the character of interiors and retain internal feature of interest including layouts, methods and means of construction where these are important; v. That the original use is no longer viable and the benefits of the proposed use are demonstrated and would be in keeping with the character of the area; and vi. That a record is made and submitted of features of interest found, to be maintained and extended during works. Sustainability and salvage aspects should be factored into proposals. Conservation areas (o) Any development within or affecting a Conservation Area must conserve and take opportunities to enhance the character of the area, and respect the grain, scale, form, proportions and materials of the surrounding area

RESIDENTIAL MOORINGS

Strategic approach: (a) Directing residential moorings to more urban stretches of waterways, where they relate to existing settlements; (b) Ensuring that the number and density of moorings in any one location are appropriate to their location on the waterway, and do not separate people from the waterway, or interfere with navigation; (c) Ensuring that moorings do not compromise the use of waterways for economic activity; and (d) Ensuring that moorings do not exacerbate flood risk, or cause detriment to water quality or biodiversity. Development proposals: (e) Have regard to the context and character of the waterway and wider landscape; (f) Provide adequate servicing where appropriate, including provisions for water, electricity, waste and sewage; (g) Provide secure access to the waterbank; and (h) Demonstrate that the mooring and associated development and servicing do not impede other waterside uses, paths or access to the waterway.

Housing Growth

The increase in housing development will inevitably lead to new pressures on the environment and services, but planning decisions should continue to ensure sustainable development. All new development should conserve and enhance local heritage, respond to and reflect local context and character and comply with policy standards and guidelines. Planning decisions will ensure necessary transport, physical and social infrastructure, including additional school places, will be deliverable in a timely manner to meet the needs generated by new housing development and to support the continuing needs of existing residents and businesses in the borough, whilst avoiding serious harm to the historical and environmental assets and essential character of the borough. The council will monitor the impact of development, including the cumulative impact of small developments, and manage future development through the development management and plan making processes, and where necessary, protect the potential of allocated sites for necessary infrastructure uses (such as education) and make appropriate new site allocations.

Housing in Multiple Occupation, Hostels and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation

(a) Supporting proposals for change of use to create new Housing in Multiple Occupation (for six occupiers or more) in appropriate locations (outlined in (d) below) for intensive occupancy, and where these help meet housing need and comply with the required standards; (b) Supporting proposals for temporary accommodation in appropriate locations (outlined in (d) below) including new hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation where these help meet housing need and comply with required standards for registration; and (c) Not requiring the provision of a family-sized ground floor unit in proposals for conversions into HMOs, hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation. (d) For Housing in Multiple Occupation, hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation, be located within convenient walking distance of town centre facilities and good public transport links; (e) Have a minimum 'original' floor area greater than 130sqm to be suitable for conversion into non-family HMO, hostel or bed and breakfast accommodation, where these are located within convenient walking distance of town centre facilities and good public transport links; (f) Include suitable facilities for the storage and collection of waste and recycling in a manner that complies with waste authority guidelines and will not have a serious impact on the character and appearance of the local area; and (g) Demonstrate that proposals together with other similar development in the surrounding area will not have a serious harmful cumulative impact on the character and residential amenity of the area.

Student Accommodation

(a) Ensuring that the development is in an area with good public transport accessibility (normally PTAL 4-6) with access to local conveniences; (b) Ensuring that the proposal would not generate additional demand for on-street parking; (c) Ensuring there would be no loss of existing housing or sites allocated for conventional housing supply; and (d) Ensuring that the development does not have a detrimental impact on the local area, and will include agreement of a management and maintenance plan for the accommodation to demonstrate how the amenity of neighbouring properties will be protected and what steps would be taken to minimise the impact of the accommodation on neighbouring uses. (e) Demonstrate the site is in an area of good accessibility by public transport (normally PTAL 4-6) and cycling networks; (f) Provide accommodation of high quality, including size of units, daylight and sunlight standards; (g) Provide a proportion of accessible accommodation to meet the needs of disabled students; and (h) Be secured to the occupation of specific education institutions or where this is not the case, providers should, subject to viability, deliver an element of student accommodation that is affordable for students in the context of average student incomes and rents for broadly comparable accommodation provided by London universities.

MAXIMISING THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Our approach We will seek to meet local housing need by securing a mix of new housing type, size and tenure across the borough. We will achieve this by (a) Seeking a mix of new housing to meet objectively assessed and evidenced local need, based on the latest and/or most specific available evidence, and applying the general housing need mix requirements summarised in Figure SC3.1; (b) Negotiating the housing mix requirements using the mix summarised in Figure SC 3.1 as the starting point for the consideration of all housing proposals, whether achieved through change of use, conversion or new development; (c) Using this mix as the basis of monitoring new development across the borough and in local areas, and possibly adjusting site mix requirements in the light of the results of this evidenced monitoring; (d) Promoting and supporting appropriate specialist housing to meet specific affordable housing needs, including sites for groups of people wishing to build their own home; and (e) Recognising that new housing development completed each year is a relatively small part of the total housing stock in the borough, which will be adapted to meet housing needs with and without the need for express planning permission. Trends in the subdivision and change to the existing housing stock will be monitored, and aspects of these changes will be managed were necessary to help best meet housing need. We will expect development proposals to (f) Provide a mix of new housing as summarised in the Figure SC 3.1, unless otherwise agreed with the council on the basis of evidence; (g) Include a schedule of housing accommodation size and tenure; and (h) Provide a unit of family accommodation at ground floor or with direct access to the external amenity space where sub-division of large family houses (>130sqm 'original' floor area) is proposed.

Maximising the Provision of Affordable Housing

We will expect development proposals to (a) Seek the maximum reasonable amount of affordable housing to be negotiated on a site by site basis on all sites with a capacity to provide ten or more homes (gross) with reference to the strategic borough-wide target of 40% of all new housing as affordable; (b) Employ a review mechanism upon partial or full completion of a development when financial viability assessments demonstrate that current market conditions will support less than 40% affordable housing; (c) Recognise that development proposals with a significant amount of existing floorspace will result in a lower CIL liability which could further enhance viability for the delivery of a greater proportion of affordable housing than would otherwise be achievable. Vacant Building Credit (VBC) will also be applied in this context whereby the Council will seek the maximum reasonable amount of affordable housing across areas of increased floorspace, recognising improvements in overall viability that may have been secured through the application of VBC on existing floorspace; and (d) Deliver and support the delivery of affordable housing through other sources of supply, such as local authority new builds, reuse of empty homes and various forms of specialist housing. (e) Provide an open book financial viability assessment and any supporting evidence to demonstrate the maximum provision of on-site affordable housing is being proposed on sites with a capacity for 10 or more homes, with reference to the 40% strategic affordable housing target as well as the impacts of existing floorspace through VBC and reduced CIL liability. Developers may also be asked to facilitate an independent viability assessment by a third party where requested by the council; (f) Provide affordable housing on-site, unless the council considers that such provision is not practical or feasible, in which case off-site provision or appropriate cash in-lieu payments may be considered in exceptional circumstances; (g) Deliver a mix of 60% affordable/social rented and 40% intermediate tenures on all qualifying sites; and (h) Provide an appropriate mix of both housing size and tenure in accordance with housing need as set out in Policy SC3.

MEETING THE NEED FOR A MIX OF HOUSING SIZE AND TYPE

Our approach We will seek to meet local housing need by securing a mix of new housing type, size and tenure across the borough. We will achieve this by (a) Seeking a mix of new housing to meet objectively assessed and evidenced local need, based on the latest and/or most specific available evidence, and applying the general housing need mix requirements summarised in Figure SC3.1; (b) Negotiating the housing mix requirements using the mix summarised in Figure SC 3.1 as the starting point for the consideration of all housing proposals, whether achieved through change of use, conversion or new development; (c) Using this mix as the basis of monitoring new development across the borough and in local areas, and possibly adjusting site mix requirements in the light of the results of this evidenced monitoring; (d) Promoting and supporting appropriate specialist housing to meet specific affordable housing needs, including sites for groups of people wishing to build their own home; and (e) Recognising that new housing development completed each year is a relatively small part of the total housing stock in the borough, which will be adapted to meet housing needs with and without the need for express planning permission. Trends in the subdivision and change to the existing housing stock will be monitored, and aspects of these changes will be managed were necessary to help best meet housing need. We will expect development proposals to (f) Provide a mix of new housing as summarised in the Figure SC 3.1, unless otherwise agreed with the council on the basis of evidence; (g) Include a schedule of housing accommodation size and tenure; and (h) Provide a unit of family accommodation at ground floor or with direct access to the external amenity space where sub-division of large family houses (>130sqm 'original' floor area) is proposed.

SCALE AND DENSITY OF NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Our approach We will ensure the scale and density of new housing development balances the need to make efficient use of land and achieves high quality design and accessibility, whilst responding to and reflecting local context and character and protecting existing residents' amenity. Large-scale developments will be required to include a mix of land uses and spaces to help create a sense of place and community neighbourhood. We will achieve this by (a) Optimising housing output, taking into account the policies for context and character, the design standards in the Local Plan and public transport accessibility on a case-by-case basis; (b) Applying the design standards contained within this Local Plan to ensure the delivery of high quality developments which will not compromise the amenity of existing and future residents; and (c) Having regard to the density ranges contained within the London Plan Policy 3.4 to help guide the design and scale of new housing developments. Notwithstanding this consideration, where opportunities to maximise housing densities at suitable larger sites in areas of good public transport accessibility exist or can be created, they should be explored where all other planning policies can be fully satisfied to achieve sustainable development. We will expect development proposal to (d) Meet the design standards set out in Building Regulations and the Local Plan and expanded upon within detailed supplementary guidance documents, including but not limited to, demonstrating compliance with prevailing daylighting standards (BRE Guidance 2011) and habitable room window separation guidance; and (e) Respond to the Urban Context and Character Study, Conservation Area Appraisals, planning briefs, Neighbourhood Plan and other guidance prepared.

Ensuring Suitable Internal and External Space

(a) Applying the minimum internal space standards for all new housing developments and residential conversions, as set out in the Nationally Described Space Standard; (b) Seeking that provision of private external space that is usable and affords privacy and security with regard to the benchmark external space standards set out in Figure SC5.2; and (c) Ensuring the delivery of a minimum 10% of new dwellings provide enhanced accessibility or adaptability where the local authority is responsible for allocating or nominating a person to live in that dwelling. We will expect development proposals to (d) Demonstrate compliance with the Nationally Described Space Standard with a flexible approach taken to residential conversions to achieve heritage conservation objectives; (e) Demonstrate through a clear design rationale how the benchmark external space standards contained in Figure SC5.2 have been considered. The exact area and character of external amenity space will vary according to the size and use of the dwelling unit; (f) Show how the aspect, usability, sense of enclosure and prevailing pattern established by local character have been considered in external open space proposals to create sufficiently high quality living conditions. The arrangement of external amenity space across a site should also be carefully considered to ensure an appropriate balance of public, communal and private space. In family sized units, there should be direct and easy access to a good sized private garden; (g) Be in accordance with the London Plan where flatted developments are proposed. This requires the provision of a minimum 5sqm of private outdoor space for all 1 to 2 person dwellings, with an additional 1sqm for each additional occupant. Balconies should be designed as an integral part of the building's elevation to maximise a beneficial aspect, and avoid positions that result in unacceptable overlooking and loss of privacy to other units or existing nearby dwellings; and (h) Contribute to the achievement of other objectives in the Local Plan where development proposals compromise the delivery of elements of this policy.

Managing Building Conversions and Sub-Division of the Existing Housing

(a) Establishing a minimum net original floor area threshold for the conversion of houses to flats; (b) Requiring at least one family-sized unit (two bedroom - four person or more) be provided at ground floor in any residential conversion; (c) Recognising that properties in locations suitable for more intensive household occupancy may be appropriate for conversion to HMO (Policy SC10) or conversion to several flats, other locations will be preferred to remain as family houses or potentially for conversion to flats of a more modest intensity of occupancy; (d) Ensuring all residential conversions maintain the amenity of neighbours and the general character of the surrounding area; and (e) Considering the cumulative impact of the proposed conversion with others in the vicinity of the application site. We will expect development proposals to (f) Have a minimum 130sqm net original internal floor area to be considered suitable for conversion or subdivision; (g) Provide at least one family-sized unit at ground floor, except in locations not considered suitable for families; (h) Have regard to the internal and external space standards; (i) Provide a good standard of living conditions and amenity for future occupiers in terms of privacy, daylight and outlook; (j) Be of a high quality design and include provision for the storage of waste and recycling; and (k) Ensure that there is no undue loss of amenity for neighbouring occupiers and the surrounding area.

Extensions and Alterations to Residential Properties

(a) Requiring that all alterations and additions do not harm the existing character and appearance of the building and its context by ensuring development has regard to relevant design guidance and standards set out in Supplementary Planning Documents; (b) Ensuring development responds to and reflects the design recommendations in the Urban Character and Context Study and Conservation Area Appraisals; (c) Preparing guidance for basement extensions in the form of a Supplementary Planning Document; and (d) Using planning conditions to prevent the use of outbuildings or extensions as self-contained dwellings. We will expect development proposals to (e) Complement the original building, harmonise with adjoining properties and maintain the character of the general street scene and the character and amenity of private spaces (including rear gardens); (f) Minimise harm to neighbouring residents (such as avoiding an unacceptable loss of daylight/sunlight, outlook or by creating an unacceptable sense of enclosure) and future occupants through high quality design; (g) In the case of an extension or outbuilding development, have regard to the quality, character, materials and scale of the principal building, be subordinate to the existing building, and not over develop the site in terms of mass and density; (h) Respect the surrounding established context including the quality and size of gardens; (i) Have regard to further design guidance as set out in Supplementary Planning Documents, and design recommendations in the Urban Context and Character Study and Conservation Area Appraisals; and (j) Have regard to the design standards set out in the Local Plan and Supplementary Planning Documents where the development of outbuildings, extensions and basements is proposed.

SPECIALIST AND SUPPORTED HOUSING

We will achieve this by (a) Supporting the provision of purpose built supported housing to meet specialist housing needs where the proposed accommodation will meet identified local need (for example, Extra Care Housing, Supported Housing for People with Learning Disabilities, Mental Health Problems, Homeless People with Support Needs and Young People); (b) Carefully considering the need for further nursing and care homes with regard to the evidence submitted of the need for that form of provision and alternative forms of provision to meet that need; and (c) Requiring a proportion (in excess of 10% dependant on client group) of supported housing to be designed for or readily adaptable to meet the needs of wheelchair users. We will expect development proposals to (d) Be developed in partnership with the council and/or health partners; (e) Have nomination arrangements for Supported Housing and Extra Care Housing agreed with the council to maximise the utilisation for local residents, and to ensure against the importation of need from outside the borough; (f) Be clear about how the provision will meet the needs of the borough's residents; (g) Be of a size appropriate to the service user group and level of need; and (h) Support the integration of vulnerable residents with specialist housing need into communities.

GYPSY AND TRAVELLER AND TRAVELLING SHOWPEOPLE

We will achieve this by (a) Safeguarding the borough's authorised Gypsy and Traveller site in Cranford known as 'The Hartlands'. This allocation provides sufficient capacity to expand to accommodate anticipated future need; (b) Considering proposals for additional pitches on alternative sites where there is an identified unmet need and the use of the site would have no serious adverse impact on the amenity of occupiers of adjoining land, and no serious adverse impact on the visual amenity of the locality; and (c) Ensuring that additional pitches can be supported by adequate social infrastructure in the locality. We will expect development proposals to (d) Ensure proposals for additional pitches have good and safe access from the road network, with adequate turning space for vehicles and no adverse impacts on traffic movements in the locality; and (e) Ensure the proposed pitch provision is for an appropriate layout in terms of pitches, amenity buildings, employment space, hard-standing, open space and landscaping.

HOUSING GROWTH

We will seek to maximise the supply of housing in the borough to meet housing need in a manner that is consistent with sustainable development principles and is built at a rate that will exceed the London Plan annualised completion targets to achieve at least 12,330 new homes between 2015 and 2030. We will seek new opportunities to augment this growth where new infrastructure investment creates opportunities for levels of growth hitherto found to be unsustainable. We will achieve this by (a) Allocating sites of a range of different sizes and locations to ensure there is a resilient and flexible stock of opportunities for housing development that offers a choice of high quality homes; (b) Supporting proposals for new development and conversions on other sites, including small sites, in the context of the presumption in favour of sustainable development; (c) Encouraging the effective use of land by reusing previously developed land provided that it is not of high environmental value or in a use that is protected otherwise in the Local Plan; (d) Investigating, collaborating and promoting new opportunities to augment housing delivery targets with sustainable development, including through the preparation of two partial plan reviews for the Great West Corridor and the west of the borough; (e) Publishing information on the rate of housing completions and the trajectory of deliverable and developable housing supply against an annual monitoring target of 822 additional homes per year. In doing so we will regularly review the need for changes to the site allocations and policies impacting on housing supply as part of a housing implementation strategy; (f) Recognising that an important contribution to housing supply will come from small infill sites throughout the borough, and requiring the design of these to respond to and reflect local context and character. In doing so we will monitor and manage the cumulative impact of development; (g) Maintaining a presumption against the development of self-contained residential units within the curtilage of existing dwellings where the proposal would be in conflict with other policies in this plan; (h) Working with developers to unlock blockages to development and seek to ensure necessary infrastructure is in place in a timely manner; and (i) Re-considering development proposals in the context of the Local Plan where applications to renew unimplemented planning permissions come forward, and reviewing the need to review Local Plan site allocations in the later phases of the plan period in order to maintain a rolling supply of deliverable housing sites and infrastructure. We will expect development proposals to (j) Have regard to the design standards of the development plan and have regard to related supplementary planning documents; (k) Be completed in balance with existing and planned infrastructure, and contribute to the provision of further infrastructure to achieve sustainable development and sustainable mixed communities; (l) Include clear information on the anticipated rate of completion of the proposed development, and to construct housing in the phasing anticipated; and (m) Provide a clear explanation of why development could not proceed in the case of applications to renew unimplemented planning permissions, and set out a programme of proposed works.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Our approach We will promote the enhanced connectivity of the borough through supporting infrastructure for high speed broadband and telecommunications. We will achieve this by (a) Supporting improvements to infrastructure supporting electronic communications networks, including telecommunications and high speed broadband, where adverse impacts on surrounding environments and interference with other electrical equipment, air traffic services and other instrumentation is avoided, consistent with the NPPF; and (b) Ensuring that development does not interfere with broadcast or telecommunications services, consistent with the NPPF. We will expect development proposals to (c) Consider the siting and appearance of the installation and any associated structures to minimise impacts on any host buildings and the visual amenity and context and character of the surrounding areas; (d) Demonstrate that the possibility of utilizing existing installations or associated buildings has been explored; and (e) Demonstrate that adverse impacts on heritage assets, conservation areas, archaeological sites, open spaces and Green Belt, areas of landscape importance and biodiversity are avoided.

DELIVERING SITE ALLOCATIONS

(a) Supporting in principle proposals that accord with the identified site allocation and the proposed use of the site and which have regard to the context, constraints and other provisions of the respective site allocations; (b) Preparing non-statutory planning briefs, masterplans and promoting housing zone designations where appropriate to support the development of individual site allocations and the spatial integration of related development sites; and (c) Considering the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders to support wider regeneration objectives and the delivery of critical or necessary infrastructure. (d) Accord with the identified site allocation and the proposed use of the site and to also have regard to the context, constraints and other provisions of the respective site allocations, including any council adopted planning brief; (e) Demonstrate that they have sought to meet the ratio of uses set out within the mixed use site allocations, and provide evidence to support any proposed variation with reference to other policies in the plan and provide open book financial assessments where viability is an issue; (f) Ensure that where the partial development of a site allocation is proposed, this would not sterilise the development or regeneration potential of the remainder of the land within the site allocation or prejudice the delivery of affordable housing and zero carbon homes; and (g) Deliver critical education infrastructure where required by Policy CI2.

IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING THE LOCAL PLAN

(a) Delivering the infrastructure needed to support the growth set out in the development plan through maintaining and monitoring an up-to-date Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the appropriate governance framework; (b) Supporting the delivery of infrastructure through the use of Hounslow CIL receipts and planning obligations; (c) Preparing supplementary planning documents where required to support policies in the Local Plan and setting out what form this will take in the Local Development Scheme (LDS), or an alternative framework; (d) Addressing strategic matters by complying with our duty to cooperate when working with other local authorities and working collaboratively with other stakeholders and organisations; (e) Supporting the use of the tools set out in the Localism Act 2011, and any subsequent legislation, designed to enable the local community to influence planning and development, while encouraging these community groups to engage early and effectively with the council and the plans the council prepares; (f) Reviewing the Local Plan, the West London Waste Plan and the CIL Charging Schedule in whole or in part within five years and undertaking partial Plan reviews through the Great West Corridor Plan and a West of Borough Plan; (g) Establishing a monitoring framework for those policies which have a measurable outcome and publishing the outcomes of this in an annual monitoring report, reviewing policies where they are not achieving their aim; and (h) Ensuring that development does not proceed unless the delivery of critical and necessary infrastructure to support that development is assured. (i) Mitigate the impacts of the development on the area through a section 106 agreement, where necessary or appropriate, having regard to supplementary planning document; and (j) Provide the CIL payments required by any charging schedules which are in operation for the area within which the scheme is located, including the Mayor of London's CIL.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Our approach We will take a plan-led approach to all growth and development within the borough that is considered to be in accordance with the principles of sustainable development as set out in the NPPF, with a balance of social, environmental and economic dimensions. We will achieve this by (a) Implementing the Local Plan in accordance with the principles of sustainable development as set out in the NPPF.

DELIVERING SITE ALLOCATIONS

Our approach We will ensure that site allocations contribute to the delivery of sustainable growth and supporting infrastructure. We will achieve this by (a) Supporting in principle proposals that accord with the identifie

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

(a) Implementing the Local Plan in accordance with the principles of sustainable development as set out in the NPPF.

GREAT WEST CORRIDOR PLAN

We will work with residents and stakeholders to explore and identify the potential capacity for additional employment-led mixed use development along the Great West Corridor and coordinate its regeneration. We will achieve this by Progressing a partial Local Plan review which will: (a) Identify the extent of the Great West Corridor; (b) Determine the location and sustainable quantum of additional employment and residential development above existing Local Plan levels for implementation through new site allocations; (c) Coordinate the delivery of public and private investment in transport infrastructure throughout the Great West Corridor as identified in policy EC1; (d) Progress the designation of the Great West Corridor as an Opportunity Area through the review of the London Plan; (e) Support the growth of the media and digital sectors in line with the London Plan's identification of the area as a Strategic Outer London Development Centre; (f) Improve linkages with Brentford town centre through public realm enhancements and improved connectivity and access to amenities and facilities for the businesses and workforce in the area; (g) Identify sites with suitability for tall buildings following further urban design work; (h) Review existing employment designations, including the Locally Significant Industrial Sites, through an Employment Land Review and other appropriate evidence; (i) Explore opportunities for mitigating and reducing the impact of noise and air pollution for existing and future residents; (j) Review local infrastructure requirements through the preparation of an area-specific Infrastructure Delivery Plan; and (k) Proceed with initial informal public consultation commencing before the end of 2015 and a target for adoption by the end of 2018.

WEST OF BOROUGH PLAN

We will work with local residents and stakeholders to facilitate regeneration and additional residential and employment growth in the west of the borough taking in the centres of Feltham, Bedfont, Hanworth, Cranford and Heston. We will achieve this by Progressing a partial Local Plan review which will: (a) Identify the extent of the West of Borough Plan; (b) Determine the location and sustainable quantum of additional employment and residential development above existing Local Plan levels for implementation through new site allocations; (c) Implement the findings of the Comprehensive Green Belt Review; (d) Take forward the recommendations in the Feltham Town Centre Master Plan; (e) Review existing employment designations through the preparation of an Employment Land Review; (f) Joint working with the Greater London Authority, neighbouring authorities including the London Borough of Hillingdon and other stakeholders to progress the Heathrow Opportunity Area identified in the London Plan; (g) Proactively plan those areas surrounding Heathrow Airport to secure positive economic, environmental and social benefits and environment mitigation; (h) Tackle health inequalities and promote healthy living; (i) Explore opportunities to bring a Higher Education Institution into the west of the borough; (j) Assess the future need for accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the borough during the Local Plan period, and should such needs be identified, set pitch and plot targets and to identify a supply of specific deliverable sites and broad locations for growth, all in accordance with Policy SC9 and national policy; (k) Review local infrastructure requirements through the preparation of an area-specific Infrastructure Delivery Plan; and (l) Proceed with initial informal consultation commencing before the end of 2015 and a target for adoption by the end of 2018.

HOTELS AND VISITOR ACCOMMODATION

We will expect development proposals to (c) Seek to locate in one of the borough's four town centres. Where suitable locations within town centres are not available, edge-of-town centre sites that are well connected to the town centre or sites within large neighbourhood centres should be chosen; (d) Demonstrate through a sequential assessment that there are no available sites in a nearby town centre, an edge-of-town-centre location or a large neighbourhood centre where visitor accommodation is proposed in out-of-centre locations, with preference for sites that are well connected to town centres; (e) Demonstrate that they do not harm the vitality and vibrancy of nearby town centres; (f) Take available opportunities to support the area's economic role or tourism offer where the sequential assessment for out-of-centre development has been satisfied, by incorporating ancillary facilities such as conference/meeting spaces, restaurants or gyms; (g) Demonstrate that they do not have adverse impacts on residential amenity; and (h) Have good access to public transport and sufficiently mitigate the impacts of increased trip generation that may result from a new or expanded hotel development.

TOWN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE NETWORK

The council supports a hierarchical network of town and neighbourhood centres across the borough. Town centres are identified as: Metropolitan Centre - Hounslow; Major Centre - Chiswick; District Centres - Brentford and Feltham. Neighbourhood centres comprise large neighbourhood centres (Hounslow West, Bedfont, Hanworth, Heston, Cranford, Isleworth, Old Isleworth) and 36 small neighbourhood centres listed in Appendix 5. The designation of frontages in town and local centres is mapped and listed in Appendix 5.

ENSURING THE FUTURE VITALITY OF TOWN CENTRES

(a) Promoting the regeneration of Hounslow town centre, with reference to the Hounslow Town Centre Masterplan. This will promote the town centre as a shopping destination and include the redevelopment of remaining key development sites including the High Street Quarter as a focus for retail, leisure and entertainment growth, including a vibrant evening economy. Improvements to the public realm and opportunities to improve access and linkages between the existing High Street and retail areas, and the High Street Quarter will be sought. In addition, enhanced links to sustainable transport nodes and hubs will be encouraged, particularly to Hounslow mainline station to the south and Hounslow Central and Hounslow East London Underground stations to the north; (b) Promoting the regeneration of Brentford town centre to fulfil its role as a District Centre. This will include: encouraging an appropriate increase in retail floorspace, leisure and cultural uses; reconnecting the High Street with historical assets and waterside environments; improving links from Brentford to the Great West Road, including business networking opportunities; and improvements to the public realm; (c) Supporting a re-visioning of Feltham town centre, to build on recent development and consolidate its role as a District Centre through the preparation of an area specific Local Plan review. This will include retaining the existing level of retail floorspace, increasing the leisure and entertainment offer to encourage evening activity, and improving the public realm and opportunities for sustainable travel; (d) Sustaining and consolidating the range and quality of shopping provision in Chiswick town centre. An appropriate variety of non-retail uses, which are not over-concentrated, will be supported, to maintain the centre's diverse roles in terms of shopping, the evening economy and business activity. Links with businesses and offices located at the periphery of the centre will be encouraged, to ensure opportunities for business networking within the centre are maximised; (e) Supporting the expansion of retail floorspace particularly in Hounslow and Brentford town centres to ensure they meet their place in the town centre network; (f) Recognising town centres as a place for business and networking, and supporting initiatives and enterprises that support this; (g) Encouraging and improving access to town centres by a choice of means of transport, particularly sustainable modes such as public transport, cycling and walking; (h) Ensuring that adequate car and cycle parking space is maintained in each town centre, and that new development uses the standards established in the London Plan; and (i) Promoting improvements to local centres, by supporting businesses, access and public realm improvements to enhance local character and identity. Development proposals should (j) Contribute to the regeneration of the respective town centre, consistent with the spatial strategy and policies set out in the Local Plan, and guidance developed to improve the performance of centres, including the Hounslow Town Centre Masterplan.

MANAGING THE GROWTH OF RETAIL AND OTHER MAIN TOWN CENTRE USES

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TOWN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE NETWORK

(a) Recognising the borough's network of town and neighbourhood centres as set out in Table TC1.1, consisting of four town centres in Hounslow (a Metropolitan Centre), Chiswick (a Major Centre), and Brentford and Feltham (District Centres), supported by seven large neighbourhood centres in Hounslow West, Bedfont, Isleworth, Cranford, Hanworth, Heston and Old Isleworth, and 36 small neighbourhood centres; and (b) Supporting development and initiatives that promote the borough's town centres, to ensure they fully meet their position in the town centre network and to enable them to change and evolve, and take forward the council's regeneration objectives. We will expect development proposals to (c) Be located appropriately in the context of the town and neighbourhood centre network, consistent with Policy TC3; and (d) Be of a scale and type that is appropriate in the context of the town or neighbourhood centre, consistent with Policy TC4 and Policy TC5.

MANAGING THE GROWTH OF RETAIL AND OTHER MAIN TOWN CENTRE USES

(a) Directing proposals for retail floorspace and other main town centre uses (as defined in the NPPF) to the borough's four town centres, and considering proposals in other locations based on sequential and impact assessments; (b) Directing large scale retail development to primary shopping areas or other allocated sites within town centres; (c) Requiring impact assessments where development of over 500sqm of retail or 2,500sqm of other main town centre use floorspace is proposed outside of the borough's four town centres; (d) Allocating sites to meet the borough's retail needs; and (e) Supporting small scale retail development in identified neighbourhood centres. (f) Seek to locate in one of the borough's four town centres where retail floorspace or other main town centre uses are proposed; (g) Where development is proposed outside of town centres, proposals should demonstrate through a sequential assessment that suitable locations within town centres are not available; followed by edge-of-town centre sites and large neighbourhood centres; with small neighbourhood centres then considered for smaller proposals that are suitable to the proportions of the centre. Only then should out-of-centre sites be considered, and these should be accessible and well connected to town centres; (h) Demonstrate that the effect of the proposal, either individually or cumulatively, on the vitality and viability of existing town centres has been considered, through the preparation of an impact assessment where development of over 500sqm of retail or 2,500 sqm of other main town centre use floorspace is proposed outside of the borough's four town centres; (i) Demonstrate that units are accessible to people with impaired mobility and pushchairs, consistent with the Mayor of London's Accessible London: Achieving an Inclusive Environment SPG; and (j) Demonstrate that local context and character have been considered in terms of the design of shop fronts and the wider appearance of development.

MANAGING USES IN TOWN CENTRES

(a) Establishing town centre boundaries, as shown on the Policies Map; (b) Designating primary and secondary frontages in the four town centres, as shown on the Policies Map; (c) In addition, establishing a primary shopping area in the four town centres, as shown on the Policies Map; (d) Protecting the strong retail role of the borough's town centres by ensuring that primary frontages and primary shopping areas retain a high proportion of A1 retail uses. This will be achieved by assessing the impact of development proposals on the retail function of the remaining frontage, to ensure that it remains strong; (e) Supporting a diversity of uses, particularly in secondary frontages, undesignated frontages and areas where there is surplus retail and/or office floorspace; and (f) Encouraging proposals that contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre, such as achieving an active frontage during the day and evening; and (g) Considering the cumulative impact of proposals on the vitality and vibrancy of town centres and the amenity of local residents, particularly avoiding the over-concentration of non-retail uses such as hot food takeaways. (h) Maintain a high proportion of retail uses in primary frontages and primary shopping areas by demonstrating that the retail function of the frontage is not undermined where change of use from A1 retail is proposed; (i) Maintain a diversity of uses, including A2 financial and professional Services and A3 cafes and restaurants, in secondary frontages, undesignated areas of town centres or areas where there is surplus retail and/or office floorspace, while maintaining an A1 retail function that will usually make up at least half of a shopping parade or frontage; (j) Contribute to local townscape character and have a high quality of design and appearance, in accordance with the council's Shop Front Design Guidelines SPD; (k) Retain retail or business use at ground floor level, or another active frontage that contributes to the centre; and (l) Encourage effective use of upper floors that contributes to town centre vitality and regeneration, such as business or residential use, provided this is consistent with other Local Plan policies.

MANAGING NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES AND ISOLATED LOCAL SHOPS

(a) Protecting the retail and community functions of neighbourhood centres (shown in Figure TC1.2 and listed in Appendix 5) to meet key day-to-day needs of local residents; (b) Protecting isolated local shops, particularly where they are located in areas more than 400m/5 minutes walking distance of a town or neighbourhood centre, or alternative local shopping provision; (c) Retaining the retail function of neighbourhood centres by ensuring at least 50% of units are in A1 retail use having regard to the vitality and vibrancy of the centre; (d) Supporting businesses that provide for the key day-to-day shopping needs of local residents, with the aim that neighbourhood centres adequately serve the needs of local residents, workers and businesses; (e) Encouraging new, small scale shops that meet key day-to-day needs in identified neighbourhood local centres; (f) Work with stakeholders, including local residents and businesses, partners to make improvements to the public realm and accessibility of neighbourhood centres, to ensure they contribute to local character and identity, and provide good links to surrounding residential areas; and (g) Considering the cumulative impact of proposals on the vitality and vibrancy of neighbourhood centres and the amenity of local residents, particularly avoiding the over-concentration of non-retail uses such as hot food takeaways. We will expect development proposals to (h) Ensure that at least 50% of units are in retail uses in neighbourhood centres, demonstrating the contribution the proposed use will make in terms of its value to the local community, meeting wider local service or business needs, and enhancing the neighbourhood centre's vitality; and (i) Demonstrate the availability of alternative shopping provision in a town or neighbourhood centre within 400m/5 minutes walking distance where change of use from A1 retail is proposed.

DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE LOCAL TRANSPORT NETWORK

POLICY EC2 - DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE LOCAL TRANSPORT NETWORK Our approach We will encourage a more sustainable Heathrow Airport by working with the airport operator and other partners to reduce environmental impacts, whilst recognising the role of the airport in the local economy.

HEATHROW AIRPORT

Our approach We will encourage a more sustainable Heathrow Airport by working with the airport operator and other partners to reduce environmental impacts, whilst recognising the role of the airport in the local economy. We will achieve this by (a) Opposing the future expansion of Heathrow Airport, including additional runway and terminal capacity; (b) Opposing the removal of the air transport movement limit at Heathrow Airport of 480,000 per annum; (c) Giving due consideration to the International Civil Aviation Authority's Guidance on the Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Management when making decisions regarding the airport or those parts of the borough effected by the airport; (d) Considering the outcomes of the government's Airports Commission with regard to Heathrow Airport, and respond by revising the borough's spatial strategy if necessary; (e) Promoting increased surface access provision to Heathrow Airport, by working with partners to improve public transport connections and cycle infrastructure, and utilising the road network more efficiently; (f) Supporting initiatives that promote modal shift towards the more sustainable forms of transport to and from Heathrow Airport; and (g) Recognising and utilising the important role Heathrow Airport plays in stimulating economic growth in the borough. We will expect development proposals to (h) Demonstrate that air and noise pollution from aircraft movements, the airport's infrastructure and transport to and from the airport avoid adverse impacts on the borough; (i) Assess and illustrate the noise impacts of any development proposal, including the use of alternative noise metrics (i.e. alternative in addition to the dB LAeq 16h); (j) Demonstrate that all reasonable steps have been taken to reduce the risk of safety related incidents occurring; (k) Demonstrate that adverse impacts on the Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land, open space and biodiversity are avoided; (l) Demonstrate that adverse impacts on the borough's transport network and the wider strategic transport network are avoided; (m) Have a positive impact on the local economy; and (n) Be complaint with the government's Circular 01/2010 on control of development in airport Public Safety Zones.

STRATEGIC TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS

We will work with partners to secure investments to existing and future strategic transport connections, including London Underground, rail, bus, and cycle and highway services. These enhancements will maximise the borough's regeneration potential and support growth whilst also helping achieve our environmental objectives. We will achieve this by (a) Supporting planned upgrades to the Piccadilly and District lines; (b) Promoting the development of rail connectivity between Southall (including Crossrail) and Brentford; (c) Promoting the development of the proposed rail connection from Hounslow station to Willesden Junction via Old Oak Common, with services calling at Isleworth, Syon Lane and Brentford; (d) Promoting improved bus services, particularly serving growth areas and the Golden Mile; (e) Supporting improved access to the Piccadilly line, including introduction of a permanent stop at Turnham Green and improved links between the line and the Golden Mile growth corridor; (f) Supporting improved access to Heathrow Airport through new southern rail access; (g) Supporting improvements to rail services on the South West Trains network, and in particular Sunday services; (h) Promoting new cycle networks, including a 'cycling spine' along the A315, with connecting Greenways and Quietways, and the provision of cycle parking at transport interchanges; (i) Promoting improvements to the highway network to best facilitate sustainable modes, including targeted junction improvements, targeted travel demand management (including trip banking where appropriate), signal optimisation and bridge works; and (j) Supporting initiatives to reduce the impact of road infrastructure in the built environment, including tunnelling proposals relating to the M4/A4. We will expect development proposals to (k) Ensure that access to existing and future strategic transport connections is considered where appropriate, including through appropriate design; and (l) Contribute to improvements to the strategic transport network where appropriate, consistent with the Local Implementation Plan and Infrastructure Delivery Plan, and the findings of Transport Assessments.

DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE LOCAL TRANSPORT NETWORK

We will secure a more sustainable local travel network that maximises opportunities for walking, cycling and using public transport, reduces congestion, improves the public realm and improves health and well-being. We will achieve this by (a) Promoting 'car-free' or 'low car' development where appropriate, as well as car clubs and car sharing schemes; (b) Promoting the active management of car parking and travel demand in the borough, particularly through the implementation of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and restricting access to these zones to existing dwellings, and requiring developments to plan end-use in accordance with these measures; (c) Preparing site specific development briefs where strategic sites include existing car parks, to ensure that sufficient car parking is retained to meet local needs; (d) Using the standards established in the London Plan for car parking, cycle parking, motorcycle parking, coach parking, and electric vehicle charging (or as updated by alterations to the London Plan). The London Plan specifies the maximum number of car parking spaces that developments should provide, having regard to the type of development and public transport accessibility. In suburban areas of low public transport accessibility the council may seek a provision of car parking at the maximum standard. The London Plan also specifies levels of cycle parking, however these are minimum standards and the council may seek a higher provision in certain circumstances; and (e) Requiring proposals for vehicle crossovers to be consistent with the council's adopted policy on vehicle crossovers. We will expect development proposals to (f) Demonstrate they are located appropriately with regard to public transport accessibility and capacity, road capacity and access to good quality walking and cycling networks. Developments should provide a minimum number of cycle parking spaces and an appropriate maximum number of car parking spaces consistent with the standards in the London Plan; (g) Demonstrate that adverse impacts on the transport network are avoided, including preparation of Transport Assessments for all major schemes, and providing contributions or improvements to transport networks; (h) Demonstrate that sufficient public car parking remains or is re-provided in the area to serve local needs where there will be a reduction in off-street car parking. This could include consideration of available on-street car parking or involve the provision of an appropriate temporary facility. This should ensure that the development ultimately provides for existing local need, together with the resulting increase in demand arising from the development; (i) Prepare Travel Plans in accordance with latest guidance from Transport for London and the council's '10 Point Guide' or any subsequently adopted guidance; and (j) Incorporate design measures and facilities to promote cycling, in line with the London Plan.