As part of their review process of the Waltham Forest Draft Local Plan, the Planning Inspectors launched a consultation on 5th December 2022. The consultation focuses on several questions the Examiners have raised regarding some of the policies in the draft Local Plan.
Summary of issues
The latest draft of the Local Plan proposes a 46.8% increase in the housing target from 400 to 585 new dwellings for the Highams Park area, compared with earlier drafts of the Local Plan.
We have particular concerns about the impact on the area of the proposals for:
- Site SA59 – 472-510 Larkshall Road and James Road/Yard (behind Highams Park Station). 145 dwellings with a proposed mix of 6 to 8-storey buildings.
- SA68 – Highams Park Industrial Estate (being the industrial/warehouse units in the area bounded by Tesco, Aldriche Way, the Rolls Playing Fields and Larkshall Road). Mixed housing and industrial development of 400 dwellings with a with a proposed mix of 6 to 8 storey buildings.
We also have concerns about Larkswood Leisure Centre – Nursery and land to rear of Larkswood Leisure Centre where 282 new dwellings are proposed with building heights of up to seven storeys.
HPPG has restricted its responses to the questions listed below and the likely impact on the Highams Park Plan Area.
a. “2.4 Overall, is the scale and distribution of housing and employment growth justified, including with regards to general conformity with the London Plan’s housing target for the Borough, flood risk, the effect on Habitats Sites, and the effect on air quality? Are any main modifications necessary for soundness?”
b. “3.1c. Is it appropriate to rely to such a degree on future housing allocations in LP2?”
c. “6.6 Overall, is the approach to tall buildings and building heights positively prepared, justified, effective, consistent with national policy, and in general conformity with the London Plan? Are any main modifications, including to Policy 57, necessary for soundness?”
We made reference to the following documents:
- LPE30 Examination Stage 2 Topic Paper
- LPE46.1 Skyline Study November 2021: Introduction, Methodology and North Waltham Forest Sites
You have until 23rd January to respond to the consultation by emailing the programme officer Ms. Andrea Copsey with your comments: copseyandrea@gmail.com
It is important that the Planning Inspectors are aware of your views.
We appreciate that this is a complex consultation, so if you agree with the comments in our letter it is sufficient to say that you have read the letter from the Highams Park Planning Group dated 17th January 2023, and agree with the comments contained therein; but also feel free to add any additional comments of your own.