HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

(ii)
(iii)
THEY DO NOT INTRODUCE AN INAPPROPRIATE COMMERCIAL PRESENCE;
AND
THEY ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARD CONDITIONS DETAILED
IN THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (CONTROL OF ADVERTISEMENTS)
(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1994.
Canals
5.36 The Grand Union Canal runs for about 20 kms through the Borough and is an important structural
feature linking the built-up area with the open land and countryside. The Council recognises the value of
the Canal as a 'Green Chain' (see para 3.22) providing a recreational resource as well as an important
wildlife corridor, and has carried out a study (The Canal Way - A Review, 1990) which identifies
environmental improvements and recreational opportunities along its length.
BE31 THE COUNCIL WILL SEEK TO ACTIVELY PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE
PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR THE RECREATIONAL USE OF THE CANAL, HAVING
REGARD TO ITS IMPORTANCE AS A WILDLIFE CORRIDOR.
5.37 Since the historical decline in the use of the canal for commercial freight (see paras 14.38 - 14.41),
most canalside development has been orientated away from the waterway, but it has considerable potential
for enhancement as a townscape feature. If this potential is to be realised, the canal has to be carefully
integrated with its adjacent land uses. This can be achieved through the design of individual buildings, the
creation of more access points to the canalside to link it with the open land network, the screening of the
least attractive canalside sites and the opening up of views both to and from the canal.
BE32 WHEN CONSIDERING PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO OR
HAVING A VISUAL EFFECT ON THE GRAND UNION CANAL, THE LOCAL PLANNING
AUTHORITY WILL SEEK TO ENSURE THAT EVERY OPPORTUNITY IS TAKEN TO:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
SECURE AND WHERE POSSIBLE ENHANCE THE ROLE OF THE CANAL AND
ITS IMMEDIATE SURROUNDS AS A WILDLIFE CORRIDOR;
SECURE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS APPROPRIATE TO WATERSIDE
AREAS;
ENSURE THAT BUILDINGS ARE OF A DESIGN WHICH COMPLEMENTS THE
VISUAL QUALITIES OF THE CANAL IN TERMS OF SCALE, BULK, LAYOUT AND
MATERIALS;
CONSERVE BUILDINGS OR FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORKING
LIFE OF THE CANAL;
CREATE NEW PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE WATERSIDE AND TOWPATH LINKED
TO THE FOOTPATH NETWORK IN THE SURROUNDING AREA;
ENHANCE OR CREATE VIEWS THROUGH AND FROM THE DEVELOPMENT,
FROM AND TOWARDS THE WATERCOURSE; AND
RETAIN EXISTING LEISURE MOORINGS UNLESS ALTERNATIVE PROVISION
IS MADE IN SUITABLE LOCATIONS.
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan