Policy information sourced from The Waltham Forest Local Plan Development Management Policies

DM1 - Sustainable Development and Mixed Use Development

Sustainable Development

A) When considering development proposals the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The Council will always work proactively with applicants to jointly find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in Waltham Forest. Planning applications that accord with policies in Waltham Forest’s Local Plan will be approved unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are out-of-date at the time of making the decision then the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise – taking into account whether:

  1. any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the NPPF taken as a whole; or
  2. specific policies in the NPPF indicate that development should be restricted.

Mixed Use Development

B) The Council will seek where appropriate a mix of uses in development in the key growth areas, and other appropriate areas in the Borough, including a contribution towards the supply of housing and employment. The areas include:

  1. Key Growth Areas: the Council will seek to to accommodate growth in the key growth areas of Blackhorse Lane, Northern Olympic Fringe, Walthamstow Town Centre and Wood Street. Details of the regeneration activities will be provided in the appropriate Area Action Plans;
  2. Other Appropriate Areas: are in the designated town centres and other designated centres in and outside the key growth areas; and
  3. Site Opportunity Locations: redevelopment of Site Opportunity Locations will contribute to housing, employment, leisure, retail and social infrastructure uses. Plans for these sites will be detailed in the Area Action Plans and Site Allocation Development Plan Document.
  4. In considering whether a mix of uses should be sought, whether it can practically be achieved on single sites or across wider areas, the most appropriate mix of uses, and the scale and nature of any contribution to the supply of housing, employment and other uses, the Council will consider:
    • the character of the development, the site and the area;
    • the size of the site, the extent of the additional floor space, the impact and constraints on including a mix of uses;
    • whether the mix of uses would be appropriate to the function of the proposed development and not demonstrably conflict with other policies in this document;
    • high quality design;
    • the financial and economic viability of the development;
    • appropriate developers’ contributions through adopting a Community Infrastructure Levy tariff schedule in the future and/or through the use of planning obligations;
    • the contribution that land use swaps, housing credits and off-site contributions can make; and
    • any other planning objectives considered to be a priority for the area.
    • imposing planning conditions to protect the amenity of existing and future residents.
    • specific situations when mixed use development may not be required, including: where housing is the sole use proposed; where housing or other uses are not compatible with the main use; and where a development is required to accommodate an existing user on the site.

For more information please see the Local Plan Development Management Policies