Development Plan
Bexley's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and Local Development
Framework (LDF)
Currently, the Unitary Development Plan is the document
that guides new development and decisions on planning applications in the Borough.
However, the government requires the Unitary Development Plan to be replaced
by a series of documents collectively called a Local Development Framework.
When they are adopted, the documents within the Local Development Framework will contain policies that guide future land use and development within the Borough. They will also include policies that guide the assessment of planning applications.
Bexley's Unitary Development Plan (UDP)
In accordance with a Direction received by the Secretary of State, from the
28th of September 2007, Bexley has been allowed to save UDP policies that meet
criteria set out in PPS12, and has issued an Addendum to its UDP. Please read
this  Addendum (644KB, PDF file) in
association with the UDP. If you have any queries, please contact a member
of the LDF Team (contact details can be found along the left hand side of this
webpage).
The Council adopted the UDP on 28 April 2004. It replaces Bexley Council's UDP (1996) and is a partial review - see April 2003 Inspector's Report (377KB, PDF file) - of that Plan. The Unitary Development Plan contains the Council's policies and proposals for development, regeneration and land use in the borough.
The London Plan: Consolidated with Alterations Since 2004 (February 2008)
The Consolidated London Plan was published on 19 February 2008.
This document forms part of Bexley’s Development Plan and is therefore
relevant to the determination of planning applications within the Borough.
A number of new or amended policies have been introduced which will now take
precedence over some existing policies and guidance within the adopted UDP
and SPDs. The Consolidated London Plan can be viewed  here.
The Council will issue addendums to the documents affected as soon as possible.
In the meantime if you have any questions or queries on this matter please
contact the LDF Team at LDFteam@bexley.gov.uk or
telephone 020 8308 7725/7778 or 7782.
Online Version
The UDP can be viewed online on the Government's Planning Portal.
UDP can also be viewed online in an interactive format. Please choose from the two options below to enter the online UDP:
Printed Version
Copies of the UDP can be viewed at all borough libraries, at the Contact Centre in the Civic Offices, Bexleyheath and at Reception, Wyncham House, Longlands Road, Sidcup.
The price for the printed version of the UDP (with Proposals Map) is £45 (inc
P&P), and the price for Proposals Map on its own is £20 (inc P&P);
please call 020 8308 7903/7869 or e-mail ldfteam@bexley.gov.uk to request an order form. Alternatively,
copies may be purchased directly from the Wyncham
House reception desk: £40 for the UDP and Proposals Map, and £17
for the Proposals map on its own.
Local Development Framework
Copies of all the Local Development Framework Documents listed below are available
to view at Borough Libraries, the Contact Centre within Bexleyheath Civic Offices
and Wyncham House reception. Alternatively, they can be purchased at Wyncham
House Reception or by calling 020 8308 7903/7869 or e-mailing
ldfteam@bexley.gov.uk.
Draft Documents, which have not yet been adopted, can be found here...
Adopted Documents
The Sustainable Design and Construction Guide highlights the important contribution
people involved in designing and constructing new developments can make to
improving the quality of life in Bexley. The Guide aims to create more environmentally-friendly
and sustainable development and reduce the impact of development on climate
change. The Guide, and accompanying Sustainability Appraisal Report, is a Supplementary
Planning Document and forms part of the Local Development Framework.
The London Borough of Bexley has adopted the Lamorbey Planning Brief to guide
development of the former Lamorbey swimming pool site. The Planning Brief looks
at redevelopment options. Its primary aim is to achieve a financially viable
and sustainable mix of uses appropriate to this very prominent site in a town
centre location. At the same time, redevelopment must contribute to the vitality
of the area and create a development of high quality design which will contribute
positively to the character of the area. The Planning Brief is a Supplementary
Planning Document and forms part of the Local Development Framework.
The Bexleyheath Civic Offices Planning Brief is designed to guide prospective
development partners on acceptable uses and design expectations for redevelopment
of the Civic Offices site in Bexleyheath. It envisages a range of uses for
this key site in the borough's strategic centre. In addition to civic accommodation,
the new buildings could include shops, homes and businesses. The Council has
adopted the Planning Brief as a Supplementary Planning Document and it forms
part of the Local Development Framework.
The Council has prepared a revised Local Development Scheme
(LDS), which identifies all the documents that will form part of the new development
plan and the timetable for their production. The Council endorsed the revised
LDS on 8 September 2007. It replaces the previous LDS (October 2006).
Please Note: The Council is reviewing its LDS. This could affect the production stages of some Local Development Framework documents. This includes the public consultation on the Core Strategy Preferred Options paper, which will no longer take place in May 2008. (Update April 2008.)
The London Borough of Bexley produces an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) to
assess the effectiveness of its planning policies. The AMR also helps Central
Government and the Mayor of London assess how effectively Bexley’s policies
support national and regional planning policies. In December 2007, the Council
approved its AMR for the year 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007. This AMR,
along with the AMRs for 2004/05 and 2005/06, may be viewed by selecting the
above link.
'Design for Living' is a Supplementary Planning Document that seeks to secure the delivery of high quality neighbourhoods within Bexley Borough. It replaces Design and Development Control Guideline 1 of Bexley's Unitary Development Plan and is therefore a material consideration when the Council considers planning applications for residential development. It was adopted on 21st January 2006. The document, along with the associated Sustainability Appraisal and Adoption Statement may be viewed by selecting the link above. Information regarding the public consultation on the draft document is also provided.
Bexley's Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document is intended to clarify and support the affordable housing policies contained within the 2004 Unitary Development Plan. It is therefore a material consideration when the Council considers
planning applications that may include the provision of Affordable Housing. It was adopted on 9th March 2006. The document, along with the associated Sustainability Appraisal and Adoption Statement may be viewed by selecting the link above. Information
regarding the public consultation on the draft document is also provided.
The purpose of the Statement of Community Involvement is to explain to people who live, have businesses or work in the Borough, or have an interest in the Borough, how they can get involved in the preparation, alteration and review of Local Development Documents and in planning applications. The Council published its Adopted Statement of Community Involvement on 10 April. The Statement and supporting documents and representations may be viewed by selecting the link above.
Draft Documents
The London Borough of Bexley has published for consultation a Draft Open Space Strategy. The Strategy will provide a framework for the future planning and management of open space and sports and recreation facilities in the Borough. It will form part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework (LDF). Comments are invited by 28 July 2008. Follow the above link for further information, including a copy of the Draft Strategy and supporting documents.
Planning obligations are agreements between local councils and
developers to make sure new development contributes towards providing local
services and facilities. The London Borough of Bexley has published for consultation
draft policy guidance on planning obligations. Consultation ended on 19 May
2008 and the Council anticipates adopting the final version in July 2008. You may find further information, including a copy of the draft guidance and supporting documents, by following the above link.
Bexley Council is preparing the Core Strategy and Erith Area Action Plan Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and has produced a Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report. The purpose of Sustainability Appraisal is to consider the social, environmental and economic effects of proposed policies in a DPD from the beginning and throughout the preparation process and is the first stage of production. The Scoping Report was subject to public consultation, which finished on 12th July 2006. You may view the document by selecting the link above.
The Core Strategy is the key document in the Local Development Framework and
will provide the strategic framework for all other planning documents. It will
set out a vision for the kind of place we would like Bexley to be in 2021 and
policies to achieve this. The Core Strategy Issues and Options paper was consulted
on between November 10th to December 22nd 2006. You may view the full or summary
Issues and Options Paper through the above link.
The Erith Area Action Plan (EAAP) will form part of the LDF
and will provide the planning framework for change within Erith. The Plan will
manage the changes in a way that will bring most benefit to Erith. The London
Borough of Bexley consulted at an early stage in the preparation of the Plan
(January to July 2007) so that local residents and other stakeholders could
have the opportunity to shape the Plan before things were set in stone. You
can find out more about the Issues and Options for the EAAP through the above
link.
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Local
Development Scheme (LDS)
Bexley
Annual Monitoring Report 2006/07 
Design for Living - Bexley's Residential Design Guide
Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document
Statement of Community Involvement 
Draft Open Space Strategy
Draft Planning Obligations Guidance
Core Strategy and Erith Area Action Plan Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
Erith Area Action Plan Issues and Options Paper