Policy information sourced from Newham Local Plan 2018

INF4 - Utilities Infrastructure

Proposals that address the following strategic principles, spatial strategy and design and technical criteria will be supported:

  • Strategic principles:
    • Sufficient utilities infrastructure capacity (including energy and water supply, wastewater handling, and telecoms) will be established to meet the needs of development over an appropriate time horizon, with projects identified in the IDP receiving in principle support;
    • The spatial and environmental impacts of utilities infrastructure will be minimised and where feasible reduced, particularly where existing facilities are being expanded or reconfigured;
    • The expansion of decentralised energy networks will be facilitated and supported in principle; and
    • The use of innovative energy technologies that reduce fossil fuel use and emissions by exploiting sustainable or waste energy sources is encouraged, specifically air, ground, waste, and water heat pumps where appropriate.
  • Spatial Strategy:
    • Utilities infrastructure, particularly in the Arc of Opportunity will evolve to keep up with growth and facilitate the creation of new neighbourhoods and economic opportunities. This includes but is not limited to:
      • Expansion of operational capacity at Beckton Sewage Treatment Works;
      • Extension of superfast broadband to new development sites and new and existing employment areas;
      • Provision of additional energy transmission infrastructure in the vicinity of the Royal Docks and Beckton, and heat network infrastructure to distribute locally generated energy across the Arc;
      • De-commissioning and remediation of gasholder sites, providing necessary legacy gas pressure etc. infrastructure.
  • Design and technical criteria:
    • Confirmation that sufficient utilities capacity exists to meet the needs of the development will be required, with proportionate contributions to studies or upgrades made where necessary;
    • All energy sources (including CHP and renewable energy installations) with an output of 50kWe or more should provide for connection to heat networks and be flagged to the GLA for inclusion on the London Heat Map;
    • As per SC2, all Major development should prioritise connection to heat networks or provide for connection in future where connection is not made prior to occupation;
    • Heat network infrastructure should be designed, constructed, and managed in accordance with the London Heat Network Manual1 and Policy SC2;
    • Air, ground, waste, and water source heat pump installations should conform to relevant up-to-date guidance and ensure all licences from relevant statutory bodies can be acquired;
    • New and intensified utilities infrastructure projects should demonstrate through an options appraisal that the favoured scheme is the most appropriate in terms of spatial and environmental impacts, costs and feasibility;
    • All new development, including road and rail schemes, should incorporate futureproofed ducting to accommodate utilities connection requirements, and be designed to accommodate access and safety considerations in relation to key utilities infrastructure including high voltage cabling;
    • Development in the vicinity of Beckton STW should undertake an Odour Impact Assessment and respond with appropriate mitigation as necessary as per the guidance cited in policy SP8.

Refer to combined INF4/INF3 map (Figure 6.2) for spatial elements.

For more information please see the Local Plan 2018