Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021

S1 Developing London’s Social Infrastructure

  1. When preparing Development Plans, boroughs should ensure the social infrastructure needs of London’s diverse communities are met, informed by a needs assessment of social infrastructure. Assessments should consider the need for cross-borough collaboration where appropriate and involve relevant stakeholders, including the local community.
  2. In areas of major new development and regeneration, social infrastructure needs should be addressed via area-based planning such as Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks, Area Action Plans, Development Infrastructure Funding Studies, Neighbourhood Plans or master plans.
  3. Development proposals that provide high quality, inclusive social infrastructure that addresses a local or strategic need and supports service delivery strategies should be supported.
  4. Development proposals that seek to make best use of land, including the public-sector estate, should be encouraged and supported. This includes the co-location of different forms of social infrastructure and the rationalisation or sharing of facilities.
  5. New facilities should be easily accessible by public transport, cycling and walking and should be encouraged in high streets and town centres.
  6. Development proposals that would result in a loss of social infrastructure in an area of defined need as identified in the borough’s social infrastructure needs assessment required under Part A should only be permitted where:
    • there are realistic proposals for re-provision that continue to serve the needs of the neighbourhood and wider community, or;
    • the loss is part of a wider public service transformation plan which requires investment in modern, fit for purpose infrastructure and facilities to meet future population needs or to sustain and improve services.
  7. Redundant social infrastructure should be considered for full or partial use as other forms of social infrastructure before alternative developments are considered, unless this loss is part of a wider public service transformation plan (see Part F2).

For more information please see The London Plan 2021