Policy information sourced from Hackney Local Plan 2033

LP1 Design Quality and Local Character

  • All new development must be of the highest architectural and urban design quality. Innovative contemporary design will be supported where it respects and complements historic character. Development will be permitted if all of the following criteria are met. Development must:
    1. respond to local character and context having regard to the boroughwide Characterisation Study; and
    2. be compatible with the existing townscape including urban grain and plot division; and
    3. be compatible with local views and preserve protected views; and
    4. preserve or enhance the significance of the historic environment and the setting of heritage assets; and
    5. incorporate well designed and integrated landscape design, which enhances biodiversity and maximises opportunities for greening; and
    6. respond positively to natural features and other open space; and
    7. improve the public realm, frontage to the street and facilitate movement through areas with direct, safe, accessible, and easily recognisable routes (legibility);
    8. be sustainable in design and construction; and
    9. be adaptable, robust and flexible in use; and
    10. use attractive, durable high quality materials which complement local character; and
    11. thoughtfully and efficiently integrate building services equipment and avoid compromising the appearance of the building, including the appearance from long views; and
    12. avoid value engineering and maintain quality through the planning process through to the completion of the development; and
    13. contribute positively to an active street frontage; and
    14. be inclusive and accessible for all; and
    15. be secure and designed to minimise crime and antisocial behaviour; and
    16. promote good health by creating streets and spaces which are inclusive, attractive and encourage walking and cycling through the use of active design principles and the Healthy Streets approach

Taller Buildings

  • The Council will prepare development plan documents, such as AAPs, to provide a localised planning framework for each of the places identified in the Growth Strategy (PP2-PP10). These plans will include a building heights strategy for each place and where appropriate identify sites and locations suitable for taller buildings. Masterplan Supplementary Planning Documents will be produced to provide additional guidance where necessary.
  • Taller buildings will be assessed using the design criteria set out in part A of this policy and against the following criteria. All new taller buildings must respect the setting of the Borough’s local character and historic townscapes and landscapes including those in adjoining boroughs. Taller buildings will only be permitted where they meet all of the following criteria. A taller building must:
    1. have a legible and coherent role in the immediate and wider context and where relevant be fully justified in respect of the Council’s place policy vision for the area; and
    2. relate and respond to its immediate and wider surrounding context: the base of the building must enhance the existing streetscape, and the top of a tall building must enhance the skyline; be of exceptional design quality both in materiality and form and not lead to unacceptable overshadowing of public spaces, especially publicopen spaces and watercourses/canals; and
    3. make a positive contribution to the quality of the public realm; and
    4. preserve or enhance the borough’s heritage assets, their significance, and their settings in line with policies LP3 `Designated Heritage Assets’ and LP4 `Non Designated Heritage Assets’.
    5. not constrain development potential on adjoining sites including sites within adjoining boroughs.

For more information please see the Hackney Local Plan 2033