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The introduction explains the purpose and role of the Local Plan, its relationship to other plans, the information which has informed it and how it use it. It also provides an overview of Newham’s geography, people, economy, homes, neighbourhoods and environment.

• Newham’s neighbourhoods are each unique through their historic built character and social and cultural diversity. There are opportunities across all neighbourhoods for new development which should be designed to complement and enhance these unique characters.
• In the majority of Newham, where most buildings are up to three storeys high and there are lots of terraced and semi-detached houses, seven or more storeys (above 21m), would be perceived as a tall building.
• Twenty areas can accommodate tall buildings above seven storeys, based on an assessment of existing heights, potential for development and sensitivity of the wider context.
• The Newham Design Review Panel has been effective at challenging developers to improve the quality of design.

The vision describes what the borough will look like in 15 years’ time and is supported by a number of objectives which are shaped around the Building a Fairer Newham strategy.  The vision is illustrated on the key diagram. 

• Newham’s neighbourhoods are each unique through their historic built character and social and cultural diversity. There are opportunities across all neighbourhoods for new development which should be designed to complement and enhance these unique characters.
• In the majority of Newham, where most buildings are up to three storeys high and there are lots of terraced and semi-detached houses, seven or more storeys (above 21m), would be perceived as a tall building.
• Twenty areas can accommodate tall buildings above seven storeys, based on an assessment of existing heights, potential for development and sensitivity of the wider context.
• The Newham Design Review Panel has been effective at challenging developers to improve the quality of design.

The building a fairer Newham policies address how and where we will deliver the different types of development needed to meet our objectives. They also direct how residents will be involved in shaping our borough and how developments should support the delivery of infrastructure and contribute to improving health, wellbeing and social value.

• Newham’s neighbourhoods are each unique through their historic built character and social and cultural diversity. There are opportunities across all neighbourhoods for new development which should be designed to complement and enhance these unique characters.
• In the majority of Newham, where most buildings are up to three storeys high and there are lots of terraced and semi-detached houses, seven or more storeys (above 21m), would be perceived as a tall building.
• Twenty areas can accommodate tall buildings above seven storeys, based on an assessment of existing heights, potential for development and sensitivity of the wider context.
• The Newham Design Review Panel has been effective at challenging developers to improve the quality of design.

The design policies address what buildings and the spaces around them look and feel like, and how usable, accessible and pleasant they are.

The Plan proposes

• New requirements to provide more public realm on larger sites, including child-friendly environments; qualitative standards for public realm, including the need to improve the quality of existing public realm beyond the site boundary; and requirements for a Management Plan to address maintenance and the activation of public spaces.
• Newham-specific design policies and guidance, adapting available good practice guidance to Newham’s context.
• 20 Tall Building Zones where buildings above seven storeys (21m) may be supported if they meet high quality design, sustainable practices and maximum height requirements. New tall buildings will generally be lower in height than the existing clusters.
• To secure the quality of design through quality checks at various stages of the development process including: co-designed masterplanning, the Newham Design Review Panel and any potential Community Design Review panel, conditions and legal obligations, and post- occupancy surveys.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• The Public Realm Net Gain policy approach needs to promote child-friendly spaces and address the management and maintenance of the public realm.
• Newham-specific design guidance, including residential design standards should better reflect the built, social and cultural diversity of Newham.
• The quality and quantity of tall buildings is concerning.
• There should be more consistency when applying standards to developments.
• More resident involvement in design decisions is supported.

Our evidence, which says:

• There is a range of good practice design guidance available at national and regional level that is relevant to Newham.
• Newham’s neighbourhoods are each unique through their historic built character and social and cultural diversity. There are opportunities across all neighbourhoods for new development which should be designed to complement and enhance these unique characters.
• In the majority of Newham, where most buildings are up to three storeys high and there are lots of terraced and semi-detached houses, seven or more storeys (above 21m), would be perceived as a tall building.
• Twenty areas can accommodate tall buildings above seven storeys, based on an assessment of existing heights, potential for development and sensitivity of the wider context.
• The Newham Design Review Panel has been effective at challenging developers to improve the quality of design.

The high street policies address the location of shops and other town centre uses and how our high streets can thrive and support residents’ health and wellbeing.

The Plan proposes

• To promote shops, cafes and restaurants, services, offices and workspaces within the Primary Shopping Areas of Town and Local Centres.
• To support meanwhile uses, pop-ups/events and the multi-functional operation of buildings, promote affordable small commercial units, enhance and activate public realm, and protect existing markets and support the creation of new ones.
• A new requirement for every home to be within 400m of a designated shopping area, or within 15min walking distance of at least two shopping areas. New Local Centre and Neighbourhood Parade designations to address gaps and further protect well-functioning high street frontages.
• Support for the retention of established corner grocery shops in areas which are further away from protected shopping areas.
• To promote evening and night-time uses in suitable locations, with the highest concentration allowed in the largest town centres.

• Tightening of the concentration criteria for hot food takeaway and all types of gambling premises. Healthy eating catering standards promoted for all food-based businesses, and marketing standards to promote responsible operation of pawn shops, pay day loan shops and gambling premises (where no overconcentration).

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• Increase the variety of shops and facilities on Newham’s high streets.
• The 15 minute neighbourhood concept should be carefully applied so that it does not result in less access to day-to-day goods and services.
• A proactive approach should be taken toward enabling and managing the visitor, evening and night-time economy.
• There are still too many betting shops and hot food takeaways, which needs to be addressed.
• The public realm needs to be more attractive and enable social interaction and community development. Need more alfresco spaces and street markets.

Our evidence, which says:

• Newham’s existing Town and Local Centres are serving local needs well, have lower vacancies than national average and are evolving in line with national trends.
• There is a need to balance opportunities for increasing variety in our centres with the need to promote and protect retail and leisure in Primary Shopping Areas.
• There are more parts of established high streets that could be protected. Alongside delivery of new Local Centres, these will help to address gaps in access to groceries and services in the existing protected network.
• With the exception of Stratford, the visitor evening and night-time economy is not well established in Newham’s centres and many residents travel out of the borough to access leisure and culture activities.
• Markets make a significant contribution to the success of Newham’s centres.
• Two-thirds of adults and 43% of children in Year 6 are carrying excess weight. 1 in 3 children have tooth decay.

The community facilities policies address the protection, location and design of all types of community facilities, including schools and education facilities.

The Plan proposes

• The introduction of a Social-Value Health Impact Assessment. This assessment tool helps fully consider the impact of any development that affects a community facility.
• Larger facilities should be directed to designated town centres, where there is good transport connectivity, and where facilities can support the viability and vitality of Newham’s high streets. Smaller community facilities, in certain circumstances, can be located outside of town centres to support the network of 15 minute neighbourhoods.
• Clear guidance on how new community spaces should be designed, including the need to meaningfully involve the community and organisations which use or will use the space through co-design.
• The introduction of a standalone policy on the need to protect existing and to support the delivery of new cultural facilities.
• Safeguarding land for the delivery of schools, childcare and health care facilities.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• Residents value their local community facilities.
• There needs to be more flexibility on the current Town-Centre-First approach for new and intensified community facilities.
• There is a need for affordable community spaces.
• More facilities for children and young people are needed.
• More leisure and sports facilities are needed.
• Cultural facilities need to be protected and more are needed in the borough.
• More GP surgeries, schools and childcare facilities need to be provided to support growth.

Our evidence, which says:

• There is a strong case for locating community facilities and services within Town Centres as important places for social integration, transport connectivity, co-working and support the high street. However, the current Town-Centre-First approach is inflexible and does not recognise that many existing community facilities and opportunities for new community centres are outside of town centres.
• Design constraints and the condition of community facilities can negatively affect the delivery of services.
• Newham needs more sports / leisure facilities, in particular swimming pools.
• There is a gap in sports / leisure provision in the Canning Town area.

The inclusive economy policies address the protection and location of space for businesses and how developments should deliver community wealth building and an inclusive economy for Newham residents.

The Plan proposes

• New requirement for development to sign up to the Community Wealth Building Business Pledges to support local residents into work, fund job training and secure higher quality and fairer economic outcomes (including the London Living Wage) for residents.
• Developments to deliver a diverse range of workspaces which respond to the needs of local businesses and growth sectors.
• To protect employment land and seek opportunities to intensify and make the most efficient use of land for businesses.
• Employment spaces are a key element of 15 minute neighbourhoods and should be protected and provided across the borough.
• Developments providing employment floorspace must support the green economy through improved design, energy efficiency and jobs and skill development in green industries.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• More local economic opportunities are needed, including job creation, skills and training opportunities.
• New workspaces that meet business’s needs are required.
• Employment land and local businesses should be protected.
• A greener economy that promotes environmentally friendly businesses and operates from greener premises is supported.

Our evidence, which says:

• Gross weekly earnings in Newham are 13% lower than the London average (4th lowest in London) and in 2021 unemployment was slightly higher than the London and UK average.
• Around a third of jobs in Newham pay less than the London Living Wage.
• The quality of employment has an impact on physical and mental health and well-being.
• Newham has lost local ‘cost efficient’ office spaces in Town Centres and there is a need to protect important local business locations as part of the 15 minute network.
• There is strong demand for industrial space in Newham and Newham’s industrial land is key in supporting sustainable economic growth in London.
• A Green economy can be supported by providing workspaces close to where people live, modern industrial design, more sustainable design standards and supporting identified growth sectors such as green industries.

The homes policies address how we will deliver the number and type of homes to meet Newham’s needs. This includes affordable and family homes and homes for older residents, disabled residents, students and gypsies and travellers.

The Plan proposes

• A new housing target that seeks to deliver between 46,633 to 52,133 new homes by 2038.
• A strategic target of 50% of new homes to be affordable, 65% of which will be social rent homes.
• A target for 40% of new homes to be family-sized, with 3 or more bedrooms. On site allocations 5% of these homes should have 4 or more bedrooms.
• Specialist housing policies, including for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation, that support providing new accommodation that meets need and is in suitable locations.
• A new housing design policy that aims to improve residents’ physical and mental health through high quality design.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• The new Local Plan needs to meet Newham’s housing target, but also needs to explore opportunities for retrofit and refurbishment of existing homes.
• Delivering more affordable homes is supported.
• There is a need for a mix of housing sizes, including family homes.
• Improving the design of new housing is welcomed.
• There is support for delivering more specialist housing, including homes for students, older people, homeless people and for people with learning difficulties.

Our evidence, which says:

• Newham needs to deliver more homes to meet both the Borough’s and London’s housing needs.
• There is a significant need for affordable housing, in particular social rent homes.
• Newham Council is building more homes at social rent levels as part of the Affordable Homes for Newham Programme.
• There is a high need for family-sized housing, particularly three bedroom homes.
• There is a need for new pitches to meet the accommodation needs of Newham’s Gypsy and Traveller communities, which will need to be considered by the Council’s housing service.
• Specialist and supported housing should be delivered to support local housing needs.

The green and water space policies address the protection of Newham’s green and water spaces and how to improve residents’ access to them and their quality. They also consider how to improve biodiversity, greening and play space in the borough.

The Plan proposes

• All development to consider and maximise opportunities to provide open space and improve biodiversity.
• Loss of open space will not be allowed if it will create or increase levels of open space deficiency. Some loss may be allowed if it delivers facilities that will improve the way people can use and enjoy a green space, such as a café or public toilets. Any such additions should not have a negative impact on wildlife and biodiversity.
• Clear requirements for the design of open space.
• Requiring development to provide or help to deliver a network of improved, high-quality water spaces and improving access to allow people to enjoy Newham’s water spaces.
• Maximising the delivery of ‘living building’ elements. This means features like green roofs (while prioritising solar panels), green walls, bird nest bricks, bat roost bricks, boundaries which allow hedgehogs to move freely and nature-based Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
• Introducing a standalone policy on the protection and delivery of more trees and hedgerows in Newham.
• Protecting existing play facilities and maximising opportunities to deliver new and improved play spaces.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• There is need for more open space and improvements to biodiversity.
• Newham’s green and water spaces require better maintenance and management.
• Existing and new open spaces need to feel safe and have facilities such as cafes, public toilets, and outdoor gyms.
• Waterways need to have better access.
• Neighbourhoods should be greener.
• Trees should be better protected and more should be planted.
• More play space is needed.

Our evidence, which says:

• Newham has a low publicly accessible open space rate, with just 0.71 hectares per 1,000 residents. This is lower than neighbouring boroughs.
• The borough also experiences shortfalls in access to nature, areas for community growing and play space.
• Open space is unevenly distributed across the borough and residents can have very different experiences when trying to access open space where they live. Beckton, for example, is relatively well served with publicly accessible green space, with a rate of 2.23 hectares per 1,000 residents, significantly above the Borough average. In contrast, Canning Town South has a rate of just 0.21, well below the Borough average.
• Over the next 25 years, Newham’s population will increase by 27%. With this population growth, there will be need for increased provision of green infrastructure to meet demand.
• A Green and Water Spaces Strategy is currently underway, which will support the Local Plan and the work of the Parks department.

The climate emergency policies address how development can occur in Newham without adversely affecting, and in many cases improving, the health of residents in the borough, the local environment, and the climate.

The Plan proposes

• A new approach to zero carbon homes with all new buildings to use ultra-low amounts of energy, not use gas boilers for heating and generate their own energy using solar panels.
• New buildings have to demonstrate they are meeting our targets, using certifications like Passivhaus, and will be monitored after completion.
• New requirements for embodied carbon and overheating to be considered earlier in design.
• Encouraging the retrofit of existing buildings, ensuring that the highest standards are met.
• Development should mitigate or improve Newham’s poor air quality.
• Measures to reduce new developments to the risks of all types of flooding, with guidance around the benefits of more sustainable measures to reduce water entering the sewer network.
• Support the Thames Estuary Plan for managing flood risk in the Thames, including any updates to reflect climate change.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• Addressing the climate emergency is important to you.
• The Local Plan can help in tackling the climate emergency through requiring solar panels, addressing pollution, retrofitting buildings, encouraging sustainable transport and the provision of parks.
• There are issues with the harsh environment in many parts of the borough, including poor air quality, noise and light pollution.
• Localised flooding is a significant concern for residents.
• Investment and upgrades to flood defences are needed.

Our evidence, which says:

• New zero carbon homes, which save power and energy and should generate renewable electricity with solar panels are deliverable.
• New industrial buildings can generate substantial amounts of renewable electricity using solar panels.
• Overheating of new buildings can be mitigated through good design.
• Newham has poor levels of air quality across the borough.
• Existing buildings can be retrofitted, with guidance to enable more high quality retrofit to take place in the borough.
• Without new water management solutions including sustainable drainage, new developments in areas of significant growth will increase stress on regional water resources.

The transport policies address all forms of transportation in Newham – walking, cycling, public transport, cars, vans, heavy goods vehicles, boats and planes and consider how high quality, sustainable and active travel can be encouraged.

The Plan proposes

• New development will be car free, with high quality cycle parking (including charging for e-bikes and mobility scooters).
• New public transport infrastructure to unlock development sites, such as the DLR extension to Beckton Riverside.
• Delivering new cycle lanes, low traffic neighbourhoods and new school streets.
• Ensuring that Electric Vehicle Charging Points are located across the borough, while discouraging car use by encouraging public transport, walking and cycling.
• Improving the borough with cycle hire, Legible London signage and high quality public realm.
• Supporting behaviour change with travel plans.
• Deliveries, including those from Newham based businesses, to take place using cargo bikes, zero emission vehicles or other sustainable means.
• A new airport policy which supports London City Airport to meet their environmental targets while ensuring that any changes at the airport do not negatively impact the growing neighbourhoods around it.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• Efforts to reduce car use, encourage walking and cycling and improve public transport are supported.
• There are concerns about car dependency and how the Local Plan can help overcome this.
• Some of you wanted more support for electric vehicles and charging points, while others disagreed with this as you felt it would further encourage car use.
• Better cycling facilities, including more cycle lanes and cycle parking are needed.
• Impact of the Silvertown Tunnel and London City Airport are areas of concern.

Our evidence, which says:

• Newham has a low car ownership rate, good public transport accessibility and levels of use, but poor levels of cycling.
• A Sustainable Transport Strategy is currently underway, which will support the Local Plan as well as help to deliver wider Council objectives including increasing active travel and improving air quality.
• It will include strategies for improving walking, cycling, electric vehicle charging and cycle hire.
• It will also include recommendations for public transport improvements.

The waste and utilities policies address sustainable waste disposal, collection and management as well as the provision of utilities (water, heat, power) and digital infrastructure to support growth in the borough.

The Plan proposes

• A requirement for well-designed waste storage spaces in new housing developments to provide enough accessible space to store recycling, food waste and general waste for collection.
• A new requirement for the Borough’s largest housing developments to provide dedicated reuse rooms, where residents can leave items for other residents to collect and reuse or use as a space for tool sharing.
• To protect existing waste management sites in the Borough unless the same amount of capacity is provided elsewhere within London.
• To minimise environmental impacts from waste facilities and utilities infrastructure, including smells and noise, through design of facilities and odour impact assessments.
• New developments must demonstrate that there is sufficient utilities infrastructure capacity, including digital capacity, to meet the needs of futures users of the development. Early discussions with infrastructure providers must be undertaken to identify if enhancements are needed.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• Improving waste reduction, re-use and recycling rates is supported.
• Better designed waste storage facilities are needed in new developments to allow for ease of recycling.
• Waste sites in Newham should be safeguarded to help manage waste across London.
• Environmental impacts of utilities are an issue, particularly smells.
• The Council should plan proactively for digital infrastructure delivery.

Our evidence, which says:

• We have sufficient capacity across east London to manage different types of waste.
• Newham has some of the lowest recycling rates in the UK.
• Utilities, including digital infrastructure, are critical to support future growth in Newham

The neighbourhood chapter includes 16 Neighbourhood Policies that set out how each of Newham’s neighbourhoods will grow and change over the next 15 years. Each neighbourhood policy contains a neighbourhood profile, vision, policy and site allocations which provide further details on how that site will develop.  

The Plan proposes

• 16 Neighbourhood Policies that set out the vision for how each of Newham’s neighbourhoods will grow and change over the next 15 years.
• Significant growth in the Royal Docks and Beckton Riverside Opportunity Area, alongside the River Lea, in Stratford and Maryland, as well as incremental change in West Ham, Plaistow, Green Street, East Ham, East Ham South, Manor Park and Little Ilford, Beckton and Forest Gate through the enhancement of their character.
• Policies which address design and heritage, public realm, employment, town centres, the environment, community facilities, green and blue spaces, and public and active transport.
• 44 site allocations informed by resident engagement, the need for homes, employment space and infrastructure, and landowner aspirations.

Allocations include:

• Development principles which outline the types of development required on each site.
• Design principles which set parameters for building heights, layout and key routes.
• Infrastructure requirements which set out the requirements for schools, health centres, open space, childcare facilities, leisure centres, public transport and bridges.
• Phasing and implementation which indicates when sites are expected to be developed in the next 15 years.

These proposals have been informed by: 

The feedback you provided during our Issues and Options engagement in 2021, where you said:

• You support the 15 minute neighbourhood concept but consideration should be given to how it considers employment uses.
• Newham’s neighbourhoods should be safer, greener, better connected, enable active travel, have more community facilities, shops and better public realm and public spaces.
• Policy designations, such as tall buildings, flood risk, safeguarded wharves, town centres and Metropolitan Open Land should be reviewed and used to inform new site allocations.
• The design-led approach to site allocations should reflect the challenges of developing large sites.

Our evidence, which says:

• The Characterisation Study, informed by public engagement, has identified 16 neighbourhoods which form part of Newham’s network of 15 minute neighbourhoods.
• Parts of Newham should be conserved, enhanced or transformed and have varying opportunities for growth and intensification.
• Newham needs to deliver more homes and employment spaces to meet both the Borough and London’s housing and industrial needs.
• Newham needs more infrastructure, including parks, health centres, schools, leisure facilities and childcare facilities.
• A range of sites across Newham are suitable, available and achievable for development in the next 15 years.
• Design-led capacity testing has identified suitable building heights and other key design principles for each site allocation.

This section provides an explanation of key terms and technical words in the Plan. In the interactive document, these terms are highlighted with a dotted underline. Hover your mouse over the word for a pop-up definition.