The emerging London Plan proposes to include, for the first time, a ‘small site’ housing target for each of the London Boroughs. Troy Planning + Design was commissioned by the West London Alliance (the partnership organisation of the seven West London boroughs) to critique the proposed approach, the method and assumptions underpinning it, as well as the implications of this for the planning and delivery of new homes.
The small sites target is based on a modelled approach to housing intensification where certain locational criteria apply and has particular consequences for the Outer London boroughs, where the model envisages a five-fold increase in delivery over past performance in many of the boroughs.
To inform our critique extensive use was made of various data sources and digital mapping to understand the spatial implications of the modelled approach and relate this to a range of metrics including accessibility, land use and location, housing type and stock, various measures of density, demographics, policy and environmental constraints.
Comparison of these against past delivery rates, involving spatial interrogation of the London Development Database, combined with a survey of the development industry, allowed a series of conclusions to be drawn, including recommendations around a stepped approach to delivery and greater recognition of the role of character and design when applying the presumption in favour of development.
Our work was accepted into the London Plan Examination Library, with ongoing support provided to the West London Alliance through the Examination. It has also formed the basis of presentations made on behalf of Urban Design London.
Client
West London Alliance
Years
2018 – 2019
