Policy information sourced from the Islington Local Plan

DH3 Building heights

Tall buildings

  • Buildings of more than 30 metres are considered to be tall buildings.
  • Buildings of more than 30 metres are only acceptable in-principle:
    1. on sites allocated in the Local Plan where the allocation makes specific reference to suitability for heights of 30 metres or more; and/or
    2. within specific sites identified in a Spatial Strategy area.
  • On sites identified as potentially suitable for tall buildings under this policy, development must not exceed the maximum building heights for that site, as set out in the site allocation and in Table 8.1 below.
  • Proposals for buildings of more than 30 metres are only acceptable where they fully satisfy the criteria identified in Part E.
  • Tall buildings must be high quality in accordance with Policy PLAN1. The designs of tall buildings must consider the individual and cumulative visual, functional, and environmental impacts, avoid negative impacts through good design, and mitigate any remaining negative impacts as far as possible. The following criteria must be fully satisfied:
    • Visual Impact
      1. Protect the legibility and identity of the area by creating a positive landmark within the townscape and creating a strong sense of place;
      2. Protect or enhance strategic and local views;
      3. Conserve and seek to enhance the significance of designated and non-designated heritage assets and their settings, relative to their respective significance (including in neighbouring boroughs where impacted);
      4. Be proportionate and compatible to their surroundings and the character of the area;
      5. Promote exceptional design, through high quality design details and material, positively contribute to the skyline and to the immediate locality, and having regard to any site-specific design principles set out in the relevant site allocations and/or Spatial Strategy area policy, and other relevant design policies
      6. Provide an appropriate transition from the taller section of a building to the lower volume relating to the streetscape and surrounding context and ensuring a human scale street level experience;
      7. Protect or enhance the settings of local landmarks;
    • Functional Impact
      1. Not prejudice the ongoing functionality, amenity, operation and/or development potential of sites in the local area including neighbouring boroughs, taking into account the individual impact of the proposal and cumulative impacts of existing and permitted development in the area (all development not just tall buildings);
      2. Ensure that impacts on the levels of daylight and sunlight – both into and between proposed buildings and for adjoining land or properties - are fully assessed and found to be acceptable; and that unacceptable overshadowing is prevented;
      3. Demonstrate how the building will operate and function to provide good levels of amenity for all building users, through provision of a detailed building management plan which details how the proposed building will operate in various circumstances, including emergency procedures. Plans must include information on peak time ingress and egress and the interaction with local and strategic infrastructure; delivery and servicing; vertical transportation; waste arrangements; emergency escape routes and other relevant building services;
    • Environmental impact
      1. Promote exceptional sustainable design standards;
      2. Demonstrate that development does not adversely impact, either individually or cumulatively, on the microclimate of the surrounding area, including the proposal site and any public space in close proximity to the site. This may require submission of detailed assessments and/or modelling work; and
      3. Demonstrate that development does not have any adverse individual or cumulative impacts on biodiversity, including watercourses and water bodies and their hydrology.

Building heights

  • Buildings that do not meet the tall building criteria in Part A but which are still considered prominent in their surrounding context, for example twice the contextual reference height, must respond appropriately to local contextual building heights and be compatible to their surroundings and the character of the area consistent with other relevant policies.

For more information please see the Islington Local Plan