Policy information sourced from Twickenham Area Action Plan

TWP SD 1 Policy for Presumption in favour of sustainable development

When considering development proposals the Council will take a positive approach that has regard to the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Action Area Plan, the Core Strategy and, where relevant, with other adopted Development Plan Documents, will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise – taking into account whether:

  • Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or
  • Specific policies in that Framework indicate that development should be restricted.

The Council will always work pro-actively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area.

Justification

It is national policy that local plans follow the approach of the presumption in favour of sustainable development set out in the National Planning Policy Framework and that policies guide how this presumption should be applied locally. The Council considers that its policies set out in this Plan, together with those in the London Plan, the Core Strategy and other Development Plan Documents will achieve sustainable development as sought by the National Planning Policy Framework.The policies are intended to enable the advancement of opportunities to meet the development needs of the Borough and are drafted so as to have sufficient flexibility to adapt to change. The National Planning Policy Framework will be a material consideration in all planning decisions, particularly where there are no policies relevant to a planning application or where policies may be out of date.

For more information please see the Action Plan