London Plan Review Project No.2 – Evaluation of Heritage Policies

Tender description

1. Project Summary The purpose of this brief is to commission consultants to develop a robust framework within which to analyse the application of heritage and other relevant policies of the London Plan, in the management of the historic environment. 2. Background The London Plan (legally called a Spatial Development Strategy) is currently the only regional plan in England, and provides the strategic planning framework for the future development of London over a 20 year period. The London Plan includes approximately 120 policies including a suite which influence the management of the historic environment. Further Alterations to the London Plan (FALP) were undertaken in 2014, with a revised Plan being adopted in March 2015. Following the publication of the FALP, the Mayor instructed a full review to take place. However a delay to this review will be caused by the Mayoral elections in May 2016. So the first stage of formal consultation is expected to take place in Spring 2017, which will provide an early indication of the direction of travel of the review. A full version of the revised Plan for consultation is expected in Autumn 2017. Recently Historic England responded to the Outer London Commission consultations on issues relating to options for growth, barriers to delivery and regional governance. The options for growth identified a number of potential scenarios, which included diverting additional development towards town centres, where access to public transport is good, through the renewal of suburbs and/or beyond London to the surrounding counties. The consultation reports paid no regard to the potential implication of these options for the management of the historic environment. The timescale of the London Plan Review provides an opportunity for Historic England to commission a number of independent strategic reports. This brief seeks to provide the tools with which to evaluate the effectiveness of current heritage policies, as a baseline in which to inform our approach to influencing the London Plan review/consultation process.