Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021

HC3 Strategic and Local Views

  1. Strategic Views include significant buildings, urban landscapes or riverscapes that help to define London at a strategic level. They are seen from places that are publicly-accessible and well-used. The Mayor has designated a list of Strategic Views (Table 7.1) that he will keep under review. Development proposals must be assessed for their impact on a designated view if they fall within the foreground, middle ground or background of that view.
  2. Within the designated views, the Mayor will identify landmarks that make aesthetic, historic, cultural or other contributions to the view and which assist the viewer’s understanding and enjoyment of the view.
  3. The Mayor will also identify Strategically-Important Landmarks in the views that make a very significant contribution to the image of London at the strategic level or provide a significant cultural orientation point. He will seek to protect vistas towards Strategically-Important Landmarks by designating landmark viewing corridors and wider setting consultation areas. These elements together form a Protected Vista. Each element of the vista will require a level of management appropriate to its potential impact on the viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate the Strategically-Important Landmark. These and other views are also subject to wider assessment beyond the Protected Vista.
  4. The Mayor will also identify and protect aspects of views that contribute to a viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate a World Heritage Site’s authenticity, integrity, and attributes of Outstanding Universal Value. This includes the identification of Protected Silhouettes of key features in a World Heritage Site.
  5. The Mayor has prepared Supplementary Planning Guidance on the management of the designated views – the London View Management Framework Supplementary Planning Guidance (LVMF SPG). The Mayor will, when necessary, review this guidance.
  6. Boroughs should include all designated views, including the protected vistas, in their Local Plans and work with relevant land owners to ensure there is inclusive public access to the viewing location, and that the view foreground, middle ground and background are effectively managed in accordance with the LVMF SPG.
  7. Boroughs should clearly identify local views in their Local Plans and strategies. Boroughs are advised to use the principles of Policy HC4 London View Management Framework for the designation and management of local views. Where a local view crosses borough boundaries, the relevant boroughs should work collaboratively to designate and manage the view.

For more information please see The London Plan 2021