Planning in Sutton

Local Character and Sense of Place

All development shall make positive contribution to the character of Hackbridge and Beddington Corner. Proposals shall: • respect the scale and density and appearance of the suburban setting of the neighbourhood's building, areas of special local character and other heritage assets. Within the 'Area of Taller Building Potential' higher buildings are acceptable in principle. • where appropriate use innovative solutions to achieve good quality design and reduce the environmental impact of the development. • adopt design principles which maximise access to natural light. • maximise access to green spaces and for high density developments, use green walls and roofs to achieve this (see Policy EP7 – Urban Greening). • improve the character and quality of the public realm, including through public art and use of appropriate colour. • include proportionate evidence that is material to the proposal in question which demonstrates that these requirements, where relevant, have been satisfactorily addressed.

Sustainable Design for Sustainable Living

Residential development proposals should provide the following requirements where feasible and practical. Where appropriate and possible, locally sourced materials should be utilised. Cycle storage • residential development schemes should at least meet the minimum cycle standards set out in the Local Plan (2018). • should be of sufficient size for the anticipated number of occupants of the dwelling. • in flatted developments should be located adjacent to the main entrance of the block as a separate room inside, with access directly off the main entrance lobby at ground floor level, in accordance with Secured by Design

Sustainable Design for Sustainable Living

Residential development proposals should provide the following requirements where feasible and practical. Where appropriate and possible, locally sourced materials should be utilised. Cycle storage: residential development schemes should at least meet the minimum cycle standards set out in the Local Plan (2018); should be of sufficient size for the anticipated number of occupants of the dwelling; in flatted developments should be located adjacent to the main entrance of the block as a separate room inside, with access directly off the main entrance lobby at ground floor level, in accordance with Secured by Design guidance; developments that provide cycle storage with direct outside access to the public domain will be supported. Recycling Facilities and Outdoor Drying: In flatted developments appropriate facilities for recycling and outdoor drying should be provided. Allotments: Where feasible and practicable residential development schemes will be expected to provide space for residents to grow food; should be located in individual garden spaces or communal spaces; should include some raised garden beds to enable people with limited physical mobility to join in; should be located in spaces that face south, south/east or south/west; In flatted developments this could include roof gardens; all existing allotments in Hackbridge are to be protected and retained for use as allotments.

Design for Sociability

All development proposals shall demonstrate that sufficient consideration has been given to ensuring that the design will encourage sociability and community interaction by: designing spaces between and around buildings to encourage activities such as children's play and interaction between neighbours; creating spaces through natural landscaping enhancements to the green infrastructure; creating a positive relationship between the buildings and open space, particularly; green spaces; the River Wandle; and key routes of movement such as the railway bridges; ensuring green space is commensurate with the size and type of development; ensuring developments address or improve connectivity to adjacent existing residential estates/areas; ensuring new streets are permeable and well connected to the existing network; designing attractive streets that meet the needs of all users, giving priority consideration to pedestrians and cyclists; and providing places which encourage community interaction, such as outside seating. Where a Design and Access Statement is required this shall demonstrate how the development meets the requirements of this policy.

Employment Land

The following existing and proposed employment sites shall be retained for employment use: Business Forest within the new Felnex development (New Mill Quarter); Island site for Wandle Valley Trading Estate (Riverside); Restmor Way.

Employment Opportunities in Hackbridge

All employment development proposals should demonstrate that the following have been appropriately considered: business opportunities that cater for recreational visitors to the Wandle Valley Regional Park; the provision of flexible spaces for new start up enterprises and opportunities for training and apprenticeships.

Better Buildings for the Future

All new developments are to minimize, as far as possible, energy and water consumption and waste produced by the occupied buildings.

Access to the Wandle Valley Regional Park (WVRP)

Hackbridge sits in the middle of the Wandle Valley Regional Park and thereby all development proposals shall be required to contribute to the provision of easy access to green spaces where justified, including: • the consideration of the needs of people with disabilities (DDA compliant), children and older residents to enable independent exploration of the park. • retention, development and provision of public access to Beddington Farmlands and the wider WVRP. Please refer to Policy CIP1 which covers safeguarding and enhancing heritage assets. Support will be given to the principle of providing a suitable visitor centre within the WVRP.

Local Green Space Designation

Hackbridge Green is designated as Local Green Space.

Trees

Development should protect trees in good health that add to the quality and character of the area. Where possible and appropriate the equivalent number of new trees should be planted to replace any taken down using 'right plant, right place' principle. Trees need to be commensurate to the development where appropriate. Large canopied trees will be looked upon more favourably. All new planting needs adequate and appropriate provision for ongoing maintenance.

Management of current Public Green Spaces

Public green spaces should be protected and enhanced in line with the aspirations of the WVRP. The primary objective should be to increase biodiversity and improve leisure opportunities where appropriate.

Management of New Public Green Space

As new developments are brought online integration into the existing green space should be seen as paramount. To assist developers and Council Officers a green space management guideline is detailed below. With regard to the management of new green spaces in Hackbridge and Beddington Corner it must be satisfactorily demonstrated that the following factors have been taken into account: • the growing history of lavender, mint and watercress. • the inclusion multifunctional landscaping, utilising a mixture of native and non-native species of plants, to create and enhance wildlife opportunities, as well as providing aesthetic and landscape appeal. • the use of recognised planting and management guidelines to increase habitat and plants that can cope with the change in climate, i.e. soggy, mild winters and dry, hot summers. • creating and managing flower-rich grassland in parks and green spaces. • the use of formal and informal grass areas. • the use of wildlife seed mixes for parks and gardens Managing habitat for birds and other wildlife in urban green spaces: • managing urban habitats for butterflies. • managing priority habitats for invertebrates. • use roof space of new developments to create either roof gardens, green roofs or water harvesting. • give the provision of sufficient space for off street car parking (using SUDS) thus making the paving over of front gardens (which may exacerbate flood water run-off) less likely. • The provision of mixed hedges instead of fences to continue the green corridors within gardens and public spaces, which will increase biodiversity and help with storm water runoff. • The use of green walls to enhance blank canvases and extend the green corridors • the use of newer initiatives of Bio-swales and rain gardens to help cope with flash flooding.

Green Infrastructure

All development shall be required, where appropriate, to extend the biodiversity and amenity value of surrounding open spaces through the neighbourhood via new and enhanced green infrastructure linkages through on-site measures. This shall include: • Provision of three principal green links improving west-east links between the River Wandle and Mitcham Common/Beddington Farmlands sections of the proposed Wandle Valley Regional Park. • Additional measures will be used to improve north-south links along the River Wandle and London Road. This policy applies to all development within or adjacent to existing or new green corridors/links where it shall be integral to their design and implementation.

Urban Greening

Development proposals where appropriate, should use soft landscaping in an innovative way to combat climate change. Consideration should be given to: • establishing a multi-functional landscape, for example by providing the ability to grow food, increase biodiversity and mitigate flooding; • Installing green roofs and green walls improves the thermal efficiency of buildings and reduces the use of conventional heating and cooling systems, whilst also alleviating flood risk. They also contribute to the wider landscape character and increase biodiversity by providing wildlife habitats. • Minimising, where possible, the paving over of front gardens as this adds to storm water run-off and use SUDs. • Replacing fencing with hedges not only increases habitat, but also helps to soak up rain. • Providing large canopy tree planting to help cool the climate and produce oxygen.

Water Efficiency

All residential or non-residential development should seek to achieve further reductions in mains water use by giving consideration to the following rainwater harvesting measures from the earliest stages of project planning and design: • incorporating appropriate rainwater harvesting measures in all developments where feasible e.g. water butts; • using rainwater harvesting measures for watering gardens, topping up ponds or maintaining wetland habitat, using automatic drip irrigation systems that provide regular watering as required; • using reclaimed and recycled water (grey water recycling) for other non-potable uses such as for flushing toilets, car washing, cleaning large surfaces and water recovery systems for high water consuming activities e.g. swimming pools; • taking particular care with the siting and design of rainwater collection measures in relation to historic buildings.

Water Efficient Landscape Design

Where appropriate developers should seek to maintain sufficient water supplies under drought conditions while reducing flood risks during heavy rainfall by providing detailed flood storage and drought resilience measures from the earliest stages of project planning and design, including sustainable urban drainage ('SUDS'), bio-swales, rain gardens etc: • maintaining or restoring natural floodplains and maximising the flood storage role of rivers, watercourses, ponds, aquifers and other water features: • promoting the benefits of measures SUDS for water storage and groundwater recharge, thus increasing soil moisture levels for vegetation, sustaining evaporative cooling and reducing flood risks. Surface water run-off should be directed back to the watercourse rather than to the foul water drainage system; • reducing demand for irrigation by working with existing natural vegetation on site and using drought resistant planting to create public and private landscapes that are more resilient to higher summer temperatures. Low water use gardens and landscapes can be achieved by imitating the conditions and attributes of London's vegetated brownfield sites or by working with the existing natural vegetation; • ensuring that proposed water features such as fountains operate 'closed systems' in order to recycle the water; and • considering the cleaning needs of large surfaces, as this could result in significant water use

Air Quality

Air quality needs to be monitored in Hackbridge for the reassurance of future and existing residents. Air quality reports will be required for all major development proposals. In the event that an adverse impact on air quality is identified, proposals will only be supported if appropriate mitigation can be provided e.g. soft landscaping in the form of large canopy trees and limited development of single aspect accommodation.

Housing Needs for Hackbridge Residents

All residential development proposals will be expected to give priority to meeting local needs, particularly by providing affordable and family (for example 1 bed flats and 3 bed+ family housing). Applications for community-led housing projects will be supported where they meet identified local needs and optimise housing provision.

Local Infrastructure

Development in Hackbridge will be supported where evidence is provided to demonstrate how it would: • Contribute to the maintenance and enhancements of existing local services. • Conserve and, where possible, enhance heritage assets and areas of special local character. • Protect and where possible enhance the area's archaeological heritage.

Pedestrian and Cycle Networks

Where appropriate development proposals will be expected to facilitate: • The implementation of schemes that connect to existing networks and provide pedestrian and cycle linkages between schemes and surrounding roads, residential areas, and when in close proximity, to the River Wandle and the Wandle Valley Regional Park. • The encouragement of walking, and other modes of transport to reduce emissions from road vehicles. • Improvement in east-west movement, wherever possible, for pedestrians and cyclists in the neighbourhood area to the River Wandle, Wandle Valley Regional Park and across London Road. • The provision of secure and safe 'parking' for bicycles within the public realm of new developments. • The provision of appropriate signage to footpaths and cycle ways within developments.

Transport

Where appropriate development proposals should demonstrate how they would integrate with existing transport infrastructure, for example in terms of road use, public transport provision, cycling, walking and car parking.

Car Clubs and Electric Cars

All developments of more than 35 dwellings will be required to provide designated space(s) for car club cars and provide charging points for electric vehicles.