The Mayor of London in conjunction with the GLA writes the London Plan which sets out the framework for how London will develop over the next 20-25 years.
Certain planning applications are automatically referred to the GLA for their oversight. Any development of 150 residential units or more, development over 30 metres in height (outside the City of London) and development on Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land.
What powers does the mayor have for planning applications
The GLA had determined in respect of the Areli application that the application would not be permitted as it stood, primarily because of the lack of social and affordable housing and some concerns around the new leisure centre proposed. Below is a report providing the rationale in full for their decision.
GLA Report Areli Development Walnuts
Another important consideration for the Mayor is parking and public transport provision. The Areli development did not comply with T6 of the London plan. The site was assessed as a Major Town Centre having a public transport accessibility level (PTAL) that categorised it as a car- free development.
“ Car-free development should be the starting point for all development proposals in places that are ( or are planned to be) well-connected by public transport, with developments elsewhere designed to provide the minimum necessary parking (car-lite). Car- free development has no general parking but should still provide disabled persons parking in line with Part E of this policy”
GLA
This meant that car parking provision had to be greatly reduced from the proposed number of spaces. There has been much debate if this assessment is realistic for the area.
Peter Fortune is the Conservative London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley.
Residents should lobby their GLA representative as they do their local councillors, particularly in relation to the implications the London Plan has on large scale planning applications.