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
The new planning system changes the focus to spatial planning. Spatial planning aims to join policies for land use and development with policies that influence the nature of places and how they function. These influences are social, economic and environmental. Spatial planning will be achieved through a folder of documents called the Local Development Framework or LDF.
The London Borough of Bexley has already produced some LDF documents. Adopted documents can be found here.... Draft documents, which have not yet been adopted, can be found here....
Copies of LDF documents are available to view at:
- Borough Libraries
- the Contact Centre, Bexley Civic Offices, Bexleyheath
- the Planning Service’s offices, Wyncham House, Sidcup.
You can purchase copies of LDF documents:
- at Wyncham House
- by calling 020 8308 7903 or 020 8308 7869
- by e-mailing ldfteam@bexley.gov.uk.
Note: paper copies of draft LDF documents may not be available after the Council has adopted the final version. Electronic copies are always available on this website: click the links in the document headings below.
LDF Core Strategy
The Core Strategy is at the heart of the LDF. It will provide a long-term spatial vision for Bexley and contain strategic policies for development in the Borough. The next formal consultation will be in late Summer 2009, when we publish the proposed submission Core Strategy for comments. Select the link in the heading above for more information. |
Adopted Documents
The London Borough of Bexley has adopted an Open Space Strategy supporting Technical Paper which will provide a framework for the future planning and management of open space and sports and recreation facilities in the Borough. The documents will form part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework (LDF). Click the link in the heading for further information, including a copy of the Strategy and supporting documents.
The Council’s adopted policy guidance on planning obligations is available
by following the above link. Planning obligations are agreements between local
councils and developers to make sure new development contributes towards providing
local services and facilities. The Guidance explains what the Council will seek
in planning obligations and the circumstances in which obligations will be required.
The Guidance is a Supplementary Planning Document and forms part of the Local
Development Framework.
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 9 December 2008. It replaces the previous LDS (September 2007).
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 2008, the Council approved its AMR for the year 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008. The AMR, the Council’s Five-Year Housing Land Supply Assessment for the period commencing 1 April 2009, and AMRs for previous years, 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 Statement and supporting documents may be viewed by selecting the link above.
The Council has published an Addendum to the Statement to reflect changes since adoption in the processes for developing Local Development Documents prescribed by the Local Development Regulations 2008 and the timetable set out in the revised Local Development Scheme (LDS).
Draft Documents
The London Boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich have jointly produced for consultation a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for Thamesmead and Abbey Wood. The SPD sets out a vision and provides a spatial framework for the area. It sets out key principles and detailed planning policies to guide the development and implementation of regeneration projects. Comments are invited by 13 March 2009. Follow the above link for further information, including a copy of the draft SPD and SA, and supporting documents.
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 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. |
Local
Development Scheme (LDS)
Bexley
Annual Monitoring Report 2007/08
Design for Living - Bexley's Residential Design Guide
Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document
Statement of Community Involvement
Core Strategy and Erith Area Action Plan Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
Erith Area Action Plan Issues and Options Paper