Policy information sourced from The Waltham Forest Local Plan Core Strategy

CS15 - Well Designed Buildings, Places and Spaces

New development proposals will be expected to:

A) ensure the highest quality architecture and urban design, both in terms of providing attractive and functional developments. New development should respond positively to the local context and character, improve the way places function and promote distinctiveness and sense of place;

B) give strong recognition to local distinctiveness and spatial context within the Borough’s neighbourhoods in Chingford, Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone and the unique characteristics they present as defined by the combination of common elements such as block structure, urban grain, building typology, street pattern and public realm, building density/height, richness, private and public space and the presence of street trees;

C) address issues of height and scale sensitively. Subject to detailed analysis of their impact on local and historic context and other key criteria set out in the English Heritage/CABE guidance, tall buildings (defined as ten storeys and above (26 metres above natural ground level)) may only be appropriate on specific sites within the key growth areas of Blackhorse Lane, Northern Olympic Fringe, Walthamstow Town Centre and Wood Street. Appropriate sites will be identified as part of the development of Area Action Plans. Elsewhere within the Borough, tall buildings are considered inappropriate. In some limited circumstances, medium rise, taller buildings (defined as between 5-9 storeys (13 - 23 metres above natural ground level)) may be appropriate both within the growth areas and at other key locations outside of the growth areas, subject to meeting the same criteria above. Appropriate locations for medium-rise buildings outside of the growth areas will be identified in the Site Specific Allocations Document, and could include;