HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

-to secure a mix of house types and sizes in new development and through conversions, and
to encourage the provision of accommodation for those with special needs;
-to increase the supply of affordable housing for those in housing need;
-to maintain, enhance and promote town centres for a wide range of activities, particularly
retailing, whilst sustaining retailing in local shops, parades and centres accessible within
walking distance of all residential areas;
-to provide a safe, attractive, convenient and accessible shopping environment and ensure a
balance of service and retail uses in shopping centres;
-to locate major new retail development in town centres and establish locational criteria for
other retail development (including retail warehouses) which lead to an efficient and
sustainable use of scarce resources;
-to promote a pattern of retail provision which is appropriate to all consumer needs and takes
account of the needs of the retail industry;
-to ensure provision of a satisfactory level of accessible recreation facilities and so encourage
participation by residents; and
-to ensure the availability of sites for further community facilities, easily accessible to all
members of the community, and to seek to protect and safeguard existing facilities.
(iii)
Maintaining a Strong Local Economy
2.43 The relative overall buoyancy of Hillingdon's economy throughout the 1980's and early 1990's
masked a variety of problems associated with the recession in the national economy and global changes in
employment, particularly structural changes in traditional manufacturing industries. The Council
recognises the benefits of a sound local economy and continues to make provision for the changing
demands of commerce and other employment generators.
2.44 PPG12 clearly states that planning authorities should take account of economic considerations
such as revitalising and broadening the local economy, stimulating employment opportunities, urban
regeneration and socio-economic factors, when preparing development plans (i.e. para 5.43). Furthermore
planning authorities should adopt a flexible approach with a range of sites available to business
(i.e. paras 5.44-5). The importance of environmental considerations is also highlighted and particularly
where they are a significant issue in regenerating an area. PPG4 (revised) (1992) provides the detailed
guidance for industrial and commercial development and small firms. Development plans must "contain
clear land-use policies for different types of industrial and commercial development ..... and positive
policies to provide for the needs of small business". (i.e. para 5). Planning authorities should aim to ensure
that there is sufficient land available which is readily capable of development and well served by
infrastructure (i.e. para 6). Locational considerations relating to industry and commerce should include
wider public interest objectives, particularly reducing the need to travel in order to control the emissions of
greenhouse gases which lead to global warming. [See also Chapter 2, Section (v) and guidance in PPG13)
(1994)]. Both "This common Inheritance - Britain's Environmental Strategy" [Cmnd 1200, 1990] and
"Sustainable Development: The UK Strategy" [Cmnd 2426, 1993) focus on the need for conserving energy,
particularly through travel, in locating new development.
2.45 Where appropriate, priorities between competing lands uses contributing to the local economy
must be recognised. PPG6 (revised) (1996) emphasises the importance of retaining industrial land for
industry and warehousing and provides guidance which focuses on the town centre as the main location for
retailing. It states that retail development should not normally be allowed on land designated for other
uses, especially industrial/employment sites, where retail development might have the effect of limiting the
range and quality of sites that would be available for such uses (para 3.10).
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan