Planning+-+News+-+LDF+meeting+report+(10.6.09)

=**Planning for our communities**= //** - Residents groups get together (10th June) to campaign to improve Haringey's planning policies **//

At a special meeting called by the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations 20 residents groups (including residents associations, friends of parks groups, heritage organisations and green groups) met up on Wednesday June 10th in the Civic Centre. They discussed the Council's latest proposed planning policies, the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, currently out for public consultation until June 30th. The important consultation document sets out 12 policy proposals on how the borough will manage issues of housing, climate change, transport, employment, leisure, retail, open space, and design up until 2026.

After hearing from Council planners and an expert from the London 'Just Space Network' the discussion focused on residents' concerns about over-development, too much high-density and unaffordable housing, the need to protect and value the heritage and character of our borough, to address the deficiencies of green spaces and local community facilities, to improve our street scene, to develop genuinely sustainable local communities and an environmentally sustainable low carbon society, and much much more!

Local community campaigns around Haringey were praised for taking up these issues, and in particular there was great support for community-led plans for certain sites (eg Wards Corner, Bull Lane) in contrast to the many controversial developer-led 'top down' proposals too often backed by the Council.

The groups present agreed to form a loose alliance to stand up for interests of Haringey's residents, communities and environment, and to lobby/campaign to improve the proposed policies.

//'Residents all over the borough are having to fight against unwanted, inappropriate and profit-driven developments which too often get the green light from the Council. We need to demand policies and developments which protect community interests, and which fulfil our real need for local facilities in all neighbourhoods, a quality environment, genuinely affordable housing and long-term sustainability.'// - Dave Morris, HFRA Secretary


 * Haringey Federation of Residents Associations**
 * Meeting to discuss Local Development Framework (Core Strategy) **
 * Wednesday 10th June 2009 at the Civic Centre, Wood Green**


 * __Draft minutes__**


 * Present:** Dave Morris (Chestnuts Northside RA + Secretary of the Federation) //[Chaired]//, Joyce Rosser (Warner Estate RA + Chair of the Federation) //[took minutes],// Colin Kerr (Avenue Gardens RA), Quentin Given (Ferry Lane Action Group + Tott'm & Wood Green Friends of the Earth), Gloria Benson (Tynemouth Road RA), Beth Thomas (Tynemouth Road RA), Gemma Harris (Friends of Queens Wood + Sustainable Haringey communications group), Robert Fickling (Bracknell Close Sheltered Housing), David Rennie (Palace Gates RA), Angie Buzzacott (Homes For Haringey residents' panels), Mario Petrou (St Ann’s Conservation Area Advisory Cttee), John MacBryde (Kingsley Place RA), Colin Marr (Alexandra Park and Palace CAAC), Bob Maltz (Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Park Residents Action Group), Sally Birch (Friends of the Earth), Stephen Hall (Noel Park North Area RA), Sue Penny (Clyde Area RA), Helen Steel (Woodlands Park RA), Jeff Amabilino (Woodlands Park RA ), Sonia Scantlebury (Noel Park North Area RA and local traders), Jasper Woodcock (Friends of Woodside Park) **//And invited speakers://** Ismail Mohammed and Sharon Leighton (Haringey Council Planning Department), and Richard Lee (London Just Space Network)


 * 1. Rationale for meeting**

Dave explained that the Federation had called the meeting because there is a new planning process underway and local groups need to know how to respond, and to work together to identify and advance the key concerns of local people.


 * 2. Richard Lee, Just Space Network**

Richard started by distributing three handouts: How to Respond to Planning Policies; Stages in the Preparation of the Core Strategy; Planning for the Examination Tests of Soundness.

The Just Space Network is a London-wide organisation, made up of different amenity/environmental/housing organisations, which came together during the 2007 public inquiry into the London Plan. It sought to establish how community groups could have a voice in such a vital process. The London Plan (a 400 page document) is very important because local policies have to comply with it. At present the London Plan is being rewritten (hopefully it will be shorter) - there will be consultation with the London Assembly, then broader public consultation and next year public hearings.

In the meantime, local councils have to produce their Local Development Frameworks which have three stages. Stage 1 is evidence gathering to identify issues and options. It is important for local people and groups to get involved as early as possible. Stage 2 is the Issues and Options Report on which there is a six week formal consultation. Stage 3 is the Preferred Options Report. Then the submission document goes to the government which appoints an inspector. At this stage there is a very strict timetable. Public hearings are held but only those who have already made representations can speak. The inspector then produces a binding report.

He referred to the “tests of soundness” needed for development plans. They must follow the London Plan, there must have been consultation, there must be a statement of community involvement etc.


 * 3. Ismail Mohammed, Haringey Council Group Manager Strategy and Policy**

Ismail explained that the new planning process is the result of the 2004 Planning Act. The new process was meant to the streamlined but is cumbersome. The first two councils to submit their plans had them thrown out although other councils have now got approval.

There will be a variety of documents making up the Local Development Framework including the Core Strategy, Statement of Community Involvement, Local Development Scheme, Annual Monitoring Report, etc. They are all on the council website.

The Core Strategy is the central planning document in the LDF. It must be in line with national and regional planning policies and must be linked with Sustainable Community Strategy. The Core Strategy sets out the spatial vision and objectives up to 2026. It must be integrated and place sustainability at its heart.

He explained that there will be two stages to Stage 3 (Preferred Options). At present the council is at Stage 3a - informal consultation; in February/March 2010 there will be Stage 3b - formal consultation. The LDF will be submitted in September 2010 and adopted in 2011.

The Core Strategy includes a vision for Haringey, a key diagram (on front of cover), area sections (based on the seven area assembly groupings) and 12 strategic policies. It seeks to be people and customer focused. The planning team are talking to groups across the borough about the document.

Other documents will include Development Management Policies and Site Allocations. The council needs to look at sites up to 2026 - land availability is one of the 'tests of soundness'.


 * 4. Questions and Comments**

a) Mario Petrou said that it was a developers’ charter - the National Plan and the London Plan were political. Housing targets are the driver (Haringey’s target was 6800 over ten years). Also the census figures seriously underestimated the true population of Haringey. b) Jasper Woodcock was concerned about level of objection at various stages. His particular concern was the protection of open spaces. Will level at inspectors’ hearings be the same? //Ismail responded:// Objectors will have to show that council’s evidence is flawed. Haringey must improve quality of open space. Mustn’t lose any open space. If development, must enhance open space accessibility. c) Bob Maltz queried the “people and customer focus” . Who are the 'customers'? Should be just 'people'. What about finance for planning improvements around the borough? //Ismail responded:// agreed that everything underpinned by national and regional plans. There must be community infrastructure plans with partners eg NHS, Transport for London, etc. Haringey has been identified as a growth area by the government. As a result we can bid for extra funds. TfL have proposals for transport developments. d) Quentin Given said that climate change is THE issue not just one of the issues. There should be an ambitious target for carbon reduction across all sectors of society. Shouldn’t be decided by public votes but by the overwhelming evidence now available. Is council going to take this on board? //Ismail responded:// agreed but council needs national regulations to insist on higher standards, eg whether level 3, 4, 5 or 6 for housing environmental standards. Targets must be sound. e) Beth Thomas asked what does “growth” mean? //Ismail responded:// Haringey population is expected to increase by 15% in next 15 years. More children and more households. Therefore demand for more houses. He said that Government and Council policies/targets had to be met. //Dave as chair clarified:// residents are not bound by what the government and council think, or want to impose on the borough. Residents should be encouraged to speak up for what local people and communities need in the way of improvements to policies and practices in order to achieve environmentally and socially sustainable communities. f) Sonia Scantlebury referred to the vision in the proposed plan, and said that her experience at Lymington Avenue over many years showed that local people's views and needs were ignored. g) Colin Kerr said that the emphasis this evening had been on process but the planners should be listening. At the last UDP enquiry Avenue Gardens RA put in over 500 objections. The targets only deal with new buildings not the existing infrastructure nor the maintenance of existing buildings. The only target is housing - what about employment? h) Gemma Harris wanted clarification of the introductory remarks about open space. Are some open spaces under threat in certain circumstances? She argued in favour of evidence-based policies rather than just “giving people what they want”. //Dave as chair gave his opinion:// Evidence-based policies should be applied to all issues - including addressing the recognised deficiency of open space, allotments, community facilities, and the need for conversion to an environmentally sustainable society (eg alternative energy sources, mass insultation programmes etc). i) Jeff Amabilino asked why can’t we say that extra growth is not sustainable. He referred to the demand for family houses which isn’t being met. Why can’t the council take over spare land for much needed community uses? //Ismail responded:// not possible for council to reject population growth figures. j) Angie Buzzacott asked about policy on new supported housing, said that “decent homes” figures are incorrect, there's nothing happening in the Heartlands at the moment despite many promises, and Wood Green Town Centre plans are “wishy washy” //Ismail responded:// information about new supported housing is in housing strategy document; developers take time and much is up to developers. //Dave as chair commented:// The housing being built is not the kind that those most in need can access, including most of the so called “affordable” housing. Only “social” housing is for those most in need, but it is a tiny percentage. This needs addressing. k) David Rennie argued that climate change is the big issue. We need to influence the London Plan. Ken Livingstone's model of growth was based on an expanding financial centre, but this is now in crisis. Locally any plans are constrained by developers and their finances. l) Jasper Woodcock raised issue of how council values open spaces. Highbury Fields was rated as £1 then re-evaluated as worth £53 million when its full benefits to the community are costed. //Ismail responded:// options covered housing, employment, environment, etc. Must be holistic approach. m) Dave referred to previous planning document controversies over different approach to east and west regarding quality of life indicators. The disparatity was dropped. But now the same thing has happened in new document! Crouch End issues include appreciation for conservation and green spaces, but in contrast to the descriptions of the centre and east of the borough! All parts of the borough are entitled to high quality environments. n) Colin Kerr said planning department should not see RAs and local residents as opposition but as allies. o) Mario Petrou referred to 'corruption' in the close official relationships between developers and planning officers. Dave said planning officers are not individually corrupt in that sense but are dependent on developers to achieve planning gain funding for Council services. In the past the council could develop housing and public buildings themselves, but now they don't have the finances. It was therefore essential that residents campaign not just for better policies but also adequate resources for all public services. p) Sally complained that Core Strategy documents were not in Muswell Hill library but Sharon Leighton replied that she had delivered a copy to them and would check. q) Beth Thomas complained that planning is top down and ignores the strengths of local communities. She said that there is no space for more population growth in Haringey. Dave replied that local community infrastructure and facilities should be expanding to deal with the growing population, but the opposite is the case - a whole range of local facilities are being bought up and closed down by developers in favour of more housing. r) Mario Petrou asked about alternatives to 'Section 106' planning gain. //Ismail responded:// Section 106 will continue but there will also be something similar to a roof tax on future development. Helen Steel said S106 agreements didn't have to be only money, but also conditions eg land for additional open space.


 * 5. How to move forward from here?**

Residents associations, friends of parks groups, Sustainable Haringey network and CAACs should all be encouraged to respond. HFRA would respond. All groups were asked to send their responses to HFRA which would circulate them to others in order to pool ideas and efforts.

Colin Kerr stressed the need for evidence-based policies. He wanted council to conduct its own audit of what we have eg population. Local Authorities should undertake their own surveys. If official statistics wrong (eg underestimating population) we should get more funding. Also do planners know their own patch? There should be a physical assessment of each street and neighbourhood. Then we could access funding.

Gemma Harris argued that effective action over climate change is more important than employment or housing.

Mario Petrou said the present exercise just consists of “crossing ts” etc. There is another way - getting all the politicians to take up these fundamental issues. We should get the Lib Dems to come out against the New Plan.

Dave said we should celebrate all the good work, campaigning and lobbying, being done in local neighbourhoods by residents groups. In particular many local people have begun to develop their own vision for what their area needs and their own community plans for contested sites (eg Wards Corner, Bull Lane, Hornsey Town Hall, backland sites). Should be more recognition about all this in the New Plan. Beth referred to the need for support (financial etc) for the legal action that the Wards Corner Community Coalition is taking against the planned demolition of Wards Corner area.

Wednesday June 10th, 7pm** Presentations and Q&A by the Council's Planning Team, and by a rep from the London Just Space Network. Followed by general discussion. //Called by the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations//
 * Local Development Framework (Core Strategy)**
 * What is it - what are the key concerns - how do community organisations respond?
 * Haringey Civic Centre, Committee Room 1**

To all community organisations concerned with planning policy and the Local Development Framework

The Federation have called a special informative meeting for reps from community organisations concerned with the Council's proposed new planning and development policies, now that the Local Development Framework (Core Strategy) is out for consultation. The consultation documents set out 12 policy proposals on how the borough will manage issues of housing, climate change, transport, employment, leisure, retail, open space, and design up until 2026. The deadline for responses to the Core Strategy is June 30th.

This is a new process and we all need to get on top of it! More information, and the full documents (see below) can be found at: **//www.haringey.gov.uk/corestrategy//**

The aim of the meeting will be to:

- explain the LDF documentation and process (and how the LDF relates to recent proposals for revising the London Plan) - identify the key areas of potential concern and controversy - encourage networking and co-ordination among concerned community organisations

We have invited an expert from the London Just Space Network (who are knowledgeable about the London Plan), and from the Council's Planning Department - to explain the LDF and related issues and answer questions.

This is a specialist meeting for reps of interested organisations (rather than the wider public) concerned with:

- appropriate development generally (eg around controversial sites in the borough) - protecting and expanding green spaces - protecting heritage - ensuring long term environmental sustainability - protecting and expanding community facilities - other related and relevant issues

It would also be helpful if as many as possible of those coming can get a chance to check out some of the key documentation in advance (see below), and identify their concerns and proposals for improving the proposed policies. If your organisation has prepared a response to the LDF Core Strategy please send me a copy before the meeting, and bring spares to hand around.

If a rep or two from your organisation can attend, please let me know in advance if possible. Or see you there!

best wishes

Dave Morris HFRA Secretary Secretary  8211 0916


 * //www.haringey.gov.uk/corestrategy//**

A New Plan for Haringey 2011-2026
 * Core Strategy

Core Strategy Preferred Options Consultation: 5 May 2009 - 30 June 2009**

This is the second stage of public consultation in the development of Haringey’s Core Strategy, following the Issues and Options consultation which took place in early 2008.

The Core Strategy is the key strategic guidance in Haringey’s Local Development Framework. This is replacing the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) as the overarching planning guide for the borough

The consultation documents below set out 12 policy proposals on how the borough will manage issues of housing, climate change, transport, employment, leisure, retail, open space, and design up until 2026.

We are asking you to give your views and comments on the proposed policies:


 * How will they impact on your neighbourhood/community/street?
 * What suggestions can you make to improve these policies?

Please note that some of the consultation documents are very large in size because of the high quality maps and pictures they contain. These documents may take a few minutes to download. If you have any problems with them please contact the Planning Policy team on 020 8489 1479

We also have a lower quality version of the full consultation document below - the pictures and maps may not be as easy to read as the high resolution version but it will be quicker to download.


 * A New Plan for Haringey 2011-2026 - Core Strategy Preferred Options**

The above document has been broken down into smaller sections below (all downloadable from //www.haringey.gov.uk/corestrategy//): Responses to the Preferred Options consultation will be analysed and all comments will be available for you to view on our planning policy consultation portal. Please follow the link to the Planning Policy Consultation Portal.
 * Introduction
 * Part 1 - People at the Heart of Change in Haringey
 * Part 2 - A Greener and Sustainable Future
 * Part 3 - Economic Vitality and Prosperity Shared by All
 * Part 4 - A Safer, Attractive and Valued Urban Environment
 * Part 5 - Healthier People with a Better Quality of Life
 * Monitoring and Implementation
 * Core Strategy References
 * Appendix 1 - Draft Infrastructure Priority List

A copy of the Core Strategy Issues and Options is available to download in the attached files section below, although the consultation period, which ran from the 8 February to 31 March 2008, has now ended.

In addition, a sustainability appraisal report has been produced which assesses the preferred policies against the sustainability objectives. The sustainability appraisal report can also be found in the attached files section below.


 * Please note that some of the attachments are between 2 – 4MB in size and may take a few minutes to download.

We have a database of individuals and groups who we keep informed on the details of consultation for the Core Strategy. If you would like to be on that database please email us at ldf@haringey.gov.uk

Details of this consultation are also available on the Council’s Consultation Calendar.

We will hold various publicity events on these Preferred Options to ensure that we reach as wide and diverse an audience as possible. Updates of upcoming events will be posted on the website.

You can view the document at your local library or council office.

You can comment on the policies online, via email to ldf@haringey.gov.uk; or via the freepost address below. To ensure responses and comments can be used effectively, please clearly identify which proposed policy it relates to.

Freepost LON11863 London Borough of Haringey Planning Policy 639 High Road N17 8BR

Please submit all comments by 5pm on 30 June 2009.


 * Evidence Base**

As part of the work to develop our Preferred Options document, we have commissioned various studies. These include a 2008 retail and town centres study, a Sustainability Appraisal report, and housing trajectory. Drafts of the flood assessment for housing trajectory sites and an Equalities Impact Assessment are also available to download below.

The North London Waste Plan (NLWP) Strategic Flood Risk Assessment is being used as the baseline for the Haringey Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. This is available on the NLWP website (see the external links section below).

If you require any further information on the Core Strategy, please call the Planning Policy team on 020 8489 1479.

(all downloadable from //www.haringey.gov.uk/corestrategy//):
 * Attached files**
 * core strategy sustainability appraisal draft-may 09.pdf
 * equalities impact assessment draft preferred options.pdf
 * strategic flood risk assessment-potential housing sites final.pdf
 * core strategy sustainability appraisal scoping report dec 2007.pdf
 * core strategy issues and options report.pdf
 * core strategy - feedback from consultation.pdf
 * retail study dec 2008.pdf
 * retail study appendices dec 2008.pdf
 * Core Strategy - Summary of Issues and Options Consultation Responses.pdf
 * Haringey Employment Study 2009.pdf