HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

concerning the characteristics of ethnic minority groups and the problems they experience is limited. In
London as a whole, however, it is recognised that those from ethnic minority communities are more likely
to experience bad housing, higher unemployment and lower incomes than do other sections of the
community, and sometimes have different needs in terms of shopping, religious, cultural and leisure
facilities. Some of these needs are addressed by specific policies elsewhere in this Plan but the Council
will seek to ensure equality of opportunity for ethnic minorities in all planning matters.
2.60 Women form 51% of Hillingdon's population and although not a minority group are often in a
position of considerable disadvantage. Low pay, unequal access to employment, restricted housing options,
restricted mobility, lack of security, inadequate child care facilities and poor design of the urban
environment all combine to make the Borough a less agreeable environment for many women than it need
be. Policies to improve access to buildings, produce a safer and more secure environment and maintain a
range of accessible local facilities are included elsewhere in this Plan. The Local Planning Authority will,
however, seek to ensure that all its policies and proposals are specifically designed to meet women's
considerations.
2.61 Some of the problems identified in the preceding paragraphs are recognised in Strategic
Planning Guidance. It identifies the need for:
-new development in transport systems to reflect the needs of people who are frail, elderly or
have disabilities;
-planning policies to make provision for special needs housing, such as housing for people with
disabilities; and
-shops to be accessible to those without the use of a car. (SPG, paras 26, 56 and 72).
2.62 Specific policies have been formulated in this Plan to help overcome at least some of the
problems experienced by women, elderly people, people with disabilities and ethnic minority groups. A
person could of course be in more than one of these groups and it must be recognised that individuals
within these groups have different needs and aspirations. It is also recognised that by providing services
and an environment which increases opportunities for these particular groups, others in the community
should also benefit.
2.63 The Local Planning Authority's policies address specific problems and are set out in subject
chapters of this Plan. In general they aim to:
-improve and promote opportunities for ethnic minorities, particularly in areas where they are
most concentrated;
-promote and improve opportunities for women;
-promote ways of meeting the needs of people with disabilities, particularly in relation to access
to buildings, facilities and services;
-meet the social and economic needs of elderly people and ensure that they have appropriate and
accessible facilities and services;
-address the objectives of the Council's Anti-Poverty Strategy.
(v)
Reducing Travel Demand
2.64 The general pattern of land use in the Borough has been strongly influenced by the development
of its transport network, the main elements of which are shown on Figure 2. Residential development in
the 20th century was mainly along the major radial road and underground railway corridors, with industrial
development alongside the Grand Union Canal and Western Region railway line. The growth of
employment at Heathrow and elsewhere in the Borough and surrounding areas has created demand for an
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan