HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

2. THE PRINCIPAL THEMES OF THE PLAN
A Context for the Plan
2.1 The five guiding principles which form the basis for the policies and proposals of this UDP are:
-to maintain and improve the environment;
-to meet community needs;
-to maintain a strong local economy;
-to provide access to opportunities for all residents; and
-to reduce travel demand.
Relationships Among Guiding Principles
2.2 In most respects the guiding principles of the Plan are complementary, and many of the policies
can therefore contribute to meeting more than one objective. For example, policies to control major
developments outside areas identified for such purposes in the Plan can help to ensure the continued
viability of local facilities. This can reduce the need to travel long distances, with resultant benefits to the
environment, and at the same time assist disadvantaged groups in the population, particularly those without
access to a car, to enjoy a fuller range of accessible facilities.
2.3 There may, however, be situations of potential conflict among the principles. For example,
development aimed at meeting a particular community need or maintaining a strong local economy could in
some circumstances conflict with environmental objectives. This Plan seeks to minimise these conflicts by
identifying appropriate areas for particular types of development and the criteria to be met by any proposed
development.
2.4 In establishing these principles, and the more specific policies and proposals which are set out in
this Plan, the Local Planning Authority has had regard to Strategic Planning Guidance issued by the
Secretary of State for the Environment to assist in the preparation of the Plan, and to current national
policies as expressed in White Papers, Circulars, Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) and other formal
government statements. Where policies of the Plan have had regard to government policies, the specific
documents are normally referred to in the justification. The Local Planning Authority has also taken
account of the Council's objectives set out in its other strategic planning documents, in particular its
'Corporate Agenda' and Service Plans of other Committees. The major references used in formulating the
guiding principles are set out in this section.
2.5 The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires development plans to take account of current
national and regional policies and to include policies in respect of the natural beauty and amenity of the
land, the improvement of the physical environment and the management of traffic. Regulations also require
planning authorities to have regard to economic, social and environmental considerations in formulating
Part 1 of a UDP.
2.6 PPG12 (Development Plans and Regional Planning Guidance) was issued in February 1992 and
contains comprehensive guidance on procedures for the preparation of development plans and their format
and content. In addition to noting the requirements set out in paragraph 2.5, above, it states that plans must
make realistic provision for the development needs of an area, while policies of restraint are essential in
Green Belt and other environmentally important areas (PPG12, para 5.1). PPG12 also draws attention to
the essential role of development plans in contributing to the Government's policies for sustainable
development and a range of environmental objectives including reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
(PPG12, paras 6.8 and 6.12).
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan