Local Plan: Partial Review
We are carrying out a Partial Review of the Wandsworth Local Plan.
What the local plan is and why we're reviewing it
The Wandsworth Local Plan (2023-2038) was adopted in July 2023, and it sets out a 15-year strategic vision, objectives and spatial strategy to guide the future development in Wandsworth. It aims to ensure that growth and renewal happens in a sustainable and co-ordinated way, through a series of policies covering issues including housing, sustainability, heritage and employment. The plan allows for development to meet our vision for a fairer, compassionate and more sustainable borough.
The Partial Review we are completing will include a review and update of Policy LP23 Affordable Housing and other policies as they relate to strengthening provision of homes for social rent for local people, together with any other consequential changes necessary for consistency across the plan. We are seeking:
- To strengthen the Local Plan policy by setting out a clear policy requirement for new housing developments in the borough to provide at least 50% of dwellings as affordable homes delivered on site
- A greater proportion of all new affordable homes to be genuinely affordable, preferably a 70/30 split in favour of social rent
- To require affordable housing from small sites below the current threshold of 10 or more homes (gross)
The reviewed Local Plan policies will contribute to our vision for a fairer, compassionate and more sustainable borough.
What is happening and how to get involved
We are holding the first six week consultation on the Partial Review of the Local Plan (known as Regulation 18) running from 23 October to 4 December 2023. This first consultation includes the supporting Sustainability Appraisal, and we have also produced an Equality Needs and Impact Assessment and a Habitats Screening Assessment.
Key documents:
- Regulation 18 Statement
- Sustainability Appraisal
- Equality Impact and Needs Analysis
- Habitat Screening Assessment
We welcome views from our local community as well as stakeholders and developers on our ambitions to deliver more homes for social rent. We are particularly interested in views on how policies could be amended to deliver on our affordable housing priorities and the evidence that we should gather to support the Partial Review. We only require comments focusing on LP23 and related policy areas and not the entire plan to ensure the review is focussed on the matters we feel most urgent.
We would be grateful if you could please respond electronically, online via our Consultation Portal. Please ensure your response is clearly labelled as ‘Local Plan Partial Review – consultation response'.
You can also respond by completing the form, either electronically using Word or as a print out, and sending it to us by:
- Email at planningpolicy@wandsworth.gov.uk
- Post to Spatial Planning and Design, Environment and Community Services Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, Wandsworth, SW18 2PU
We encourage everyone to use our online survey. Paper copies of the document are available to view at the Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, London, SW18 2PU or from borough libraries.
All responses must be received by 11.59pm on Monday 4 December 2023. Please note that responses will not be treated as confidential and those submitted anonymously will not be accepted.
What happens next
All comments from the first consultation on the Partial Review of the Local Plan (Regulation 18) will be considered at this stage to inform the review and updated policies.
The next stage of formal consultation will be the Submission Version of the Local Plan (known as Regulation 19), which will likely take place in mid-to-late 2024, with further opportunity to comment on the review process. At this stage we will publish draft policies and ask for comments on whether they are effective, robust and legally sound.
The reviewed Local Plan is then submitted to the Secretary of State to undergo public examination by an independent planning inspector before it can be legally adopted. More detail can be found in our Local Development Scheme 2023-2026.
To stay up to date with the Local Plan review process please register your details by emailing planningpolicy@wandsworth.gov.uk to be informed of future consultation and updates.
More information
The following links have more information about the Partial Review of the Local Plan:
Contact
Email: planningpolicy@wandsworth.gov.uk
Planning Policy
Environment and Community Services
Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PU