HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

12. TOURISM
Introduction
12.1 Current Government guidance on tourism (PPG21, November 1992) recognises that tourism
makes a major contribution to the national economy and its continuing growth generates a range of
economic activity and new job opportunities. As it often depends on a high quality environment, it can act
as a positive force for environmental protection and enhancement. The Government has adopted four
guiding principles (PPG12 : Para 13.15) against which sustainable tourism can be assessed in accordance
with the environmental strategy in 'This Common Inheritance'. The Government's tourism policy claims to
secure a proper balance between:
- maximising the economic and employment benefits that tourism can bring;
- promoting geographical and seasonal spread of tourism;
- encouraging the development of non-traditional destinations as well as the more popular visitor
locations;
- respecting the needs of the tourist industry and its customers;
- safeguarding the environment; and
- protecting the interests of the communities that cater for its needs, but feel its effects. (PPG12,
Para 3.13).
12.2 Tourism is made up of a wide range of very different, but interdependent activities and operations,
including accommodation, catering, transport and tourist attractions. There is also an overlap with related
uses such as sport, entertainment, the arts and recreation and leisure activities. The tourism industry offers
a wide range of jobs at all skill levels; there is a higher proportion of small businesses in tourism compared
with the economy as a whole. The growth of tourism in the U.K. has been accompanied by changes in the
types and distribution of tourism, including short breaks, day trips, business travel and special
activity/interest holidays. There has also been an increase in the visits by overseas residents to the U.K.,
the majority of which will enter the U.K. at Heathrow Airport.
12.3 The indications are that the industry will continue to grow and to realise its potential. As such the
industry needs to maintain a continuous programme of investment and reinvestment. Revised RPG3 (1996)
recognised the economic role of tourism to London and the potential growth as a source of revenue. As
London attracts 50% of the money spent in the U.K. by visitors from abroad, appropriate provision is
required to meet new needs. Whilst the Council would not seek to encourage development in the Borough
at the expense of its environment, it will aim to encourage the development of hotels near transport
interchanges, especially accessible to major international transport facilities and main attractions (see
Chapter 15) and introduce measures to improve the environment of routes and airports into London
(RPG3 : 1996 Para 3.23).
12.4 This Council recognises the role it has to play in the future growth of tourism, not only in the
provision of facilities, but also through its economic regeneration initiatives which currently focus on the
Hayes/West Drayton Corridor just to the north of Heathrow Airport. (See Chapters 10 and 15). The
Council will continue to work closely with London Tourist Board (LTB) to take advantage of tourism
opportunities where appropriate.
Hillingdon's Tourist Attractions
12.5 With the exception of Heathrow Airport, Hillingdon's attractions tend to be of a Borough or West
London significance. Many of them provide a destination for day excursions, such as the Colne Valley
Park which is accessible at many points to the public and provides a range of facilities for sport and
recreation and good habitats for birds and other wildlife. (See Chapter 3). The Borough has numerous
lakes and waterways including a 12 mile stretch of the Grand Union Canal providing extensive
opportunities for water based recreation and there are also facilities for walking, cycling, riding and golf.
Middlesex County Cricket Club plays fixtures at Uxbridge and there is an artificial ski-run at Hillingdon
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan