Policy information sourced from Bexley Core Strategy

Policy CS03 Belvedere geographic region

The vision for the Belvedere geographic region will be achieved by:

  • seeking opportunities for renewal and enhancement associated with the region’s location within the Thames Gateway and two London Plan Opportunity Areas, whilst acknowledging the need to address low levels of infrastructure, including public transport accessibility, to ensure the area realises its full potential;
  • supporting the development of Crossrail to Abbey Wood, capitalising on the opportunities for enhanced facilities presented by this new transport link, and safeguarding land for potential extension of the line between Abbey Wood, Gravesend and Hoo Junction;
  • supporting all forms of sustainable transport, including the safeguarding of identified wharves, and working with partners such as the Mayor of London to improve public transport accessibility levels and connections, including the creation of a strategic public transport hub at Abbey Wood station and the investigation of transit or light rail links to the rest of the borough, as well as pedestrian and cycle schemes;
  • making contributions to housing and employment growth primarily within the proposed sustainable growth areas identified on Map 3.2 and capitalising on these opportunities to ensure the provision of additional services and facilities, in particular educational and health facilities;
  • ensuring that character of neighbourhoods made up of mainly Victorian housing (such as West Heath and Upper Belvedere) and Conservation Areas and listed buildings are retained and that opportunities for environmental improvements to these neighbourhoods, as well as in areas of estate renewal, should be taken where possible;
  • facilitating innovation and economic development, including higher levels of local employment, especially by support of projects that build on Belvedere’s emerging knowledge-sector base, such as the Thames Innovation Centre, and proposals that help to intensify and diversify the local employment base including skills and training provision;
  • ensuring that all new development is built to high design standards, and that new commercial property development improves the quality of industrial estates and the public realm, particularly in bringing sites and infrastructure up to modern business standards, including ICT and supporting investigations into the potential for wind turbine development and a decentralised heat and power network within the Belvedere Industrial Area;
  • ensuring all new development addresses the deficit in public open space and access to nature in the region, protects or enhances biodiversity and mitigates against all types of flood risk, particularly through design solutions that incorporate flood resilience and resistance in areas at risk of flooding;
  • supporting the provision of cultural facilities in suitable locations, such as the new visitor centre at Lesnes Abbey Woods and the development of a museum at Crossness Beam Engine House; and j designating a Thames-side policy area in further development plan documents, and reviewing and, as appropriate, implementing, the Thames Strategy East guidance document.

For more information please see the Bexley Core Strategy