Strategic policy - Site allocations
a) Planning permission will be granted where the proposed development positively addresses the allocation and site requirements and where the proposed development would be in accordance with all other relevant policies, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where further information and guidance is provided as part of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) or other planning related document, which is relevant to a site allocation, this will be considered a material consideration in determining any planning application.
b) Development proposals that relate to part of a larger site and/or area will need to demonstrate how the development will form part of a comprehensive scheme for the whole site and/or area, and that this will not prejudice or fetter the development capacity of the whole site and/or area. Where appropriate, developers and landowners will be expected to work collaboratively to ensure the comprehensive and cohesive approach to the planning and delivery of site allocations, including investigating the production of masterplans or frameworks to provide greater security of delivery.
c) Development proposals will be expected to provide adequate contributions toward physical, social, and environmental infrastructure to meet the needs of the development. Appropriate conditions and legal agreements will be used where it is necessary to ensure that the full range of infrastructure is provided for and delivered in a way that is suitable for occupation.
Map - Collective Site Allocation
3.11 In addition to regeneration areas, the Local Plan identifies a number of site allocations. These are individual sites within the borough that have been identified as being suitable for comprehensive plan-led redevelopment where opportunities exist to increase capacity and density, and bring a wide range of benefits to local communities.
3.12 Each site allocation policy sets out the key priorities and requirements for the respective allocation, alongside a map showing the boundary of the site. Development proposals within the site allocation boundary must consider how the proposal addresses the respective site allocation boundary, as well as the wider objectives of the Plan. The council will grant permission for development on allocated sites where proposed development addresses the content of the relevant site allocation and other policies in the Plan, and/or any other relevant documents.
3.13 Where sites are allocated for a specific use which falls within a broader use class (i.e. office or retail uses which sit within use Class E), the specific allocated use will be secured at planning stage. This is to ensure that development contributes towards meeting the borough's identified development needs. Where site allocations are expressed more broadly in terms of use class, there is more flexibility regarding the range of acceptable uses, subject to compliance with all relevant Local Plan policies.
3.14 Although use changes within Class E are not classed as development and do not require planning permission, the loss of uses can have consequences for the council's ability to meet its evidenced development need, particularly for office floorspace, as well as for the availability of services such as shops, health clinics and day centres. Therefore, given land constraints and the potential impacts arising from particular uses, it is considered necessary to ensure that sites allocated for specific uses actually deliver particular types of development in line with the allocations.
3.15 Where site allocations are developed over time, rather than as a single development, development proposals will be expected to demonstrate how this will form part of a comprehensive scheme for the site. Developers and landowners will be expected to work collaboratively to ensure comprehensive and cohesive redevelopment of site allocations, including the production of masterplans where appropriate. Proposals should be designed so that they do not unduly prejudice the development potential of the adjoining sites and contribute towards the comprehensive redevelopment of the allocation.
3.16 Developments will be expected to ensure that where infrastructure is required to make the development acceptable, that this is delivered at the point of occupation in a timely and efficient manner. Phased infrastructure provision is essential to avoid straining existing services. By delivering necessary infrastructure in tandem with housing, development can meet community needs from the outset. This includes the delivery of affordable housing, and other social infrastructure, as well as all relevant environmental and physical infrastructure.
White City and Shepherds Bush
3.17 White City is located in the north of the borough and home to some of the borough's most notable destinations, including the Television Centre, White City Place (formerly the BBC Media Village), Westfield London and Loftus Road Stadium. The area also comprises the council's largest local authority housing estates – the White City Estate and Batman Close, as well as the Wood Lane Estate.
3.18 In recent years the area has been the location of substantial redevelopment, in part driven by the development of the Imperial College London campus which sits at the heart of the White City Innovation District.
3.19 The White City Innovation District is a collaborative venture between the council and Imperial College London conceived in 2017 as a technology and life sciences quarter and is a key part of the borough's economic success. The council continues to support the Innovation District and will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to ensure its continued success and growth.
3.20 The area is also home to Hammersmith Hospital, a specialist hospital renowned for its strong research connections, Wormwood Scrubs prison, a Category B men's local prison, and Linford Christie Stadium.
3.21 The regeneration area has four distinct sub-areas: White City East, Shepherds Bush Town Centre, the estates in White City (White City West), and the area surrounding Hammersmith Hospital (White City North).
3.22 White City East consists of land to the north of Westfield London and to the east of Wood Lane with the addition of the Media Village site and former BBC Television Centre. This area forms the White City Innovation District bringing research and academic uses related to science, technology, enterprise and medicine, together with housing and other uses. Imperial College London has developed a new state-of-the-art campus to the north of the A40 adding further to the variety of uses in this area.
3.23 White City West comprises LBHF's largest local authority housing estates – the White City Estate and Batman Close. This area also includes the Wood Lane Estate, Loftus Road Football Stadium and the Territorial Army Centre. Shepherds Bush Town Centre lies to the south of the White City Regeneration Area and is an important retail, entertainment and cultural centre which includes Westfield London, the W12 Centre and Shepherds Bush Market. The town centre is designated a Metropolitan Centre in the London Plan (2021).
3.24 White City North consists of land north of Du Cane Road, and includes Hammersmith Hospital, Linford Christie Stadium, various schools and associated playing pitches. The area is bounded to the north by Wormwood Scrubs Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), and Scrubs Lane to the east. The area has relatively poor access to public transport, particularly to the north and west.
3.25 There are a number of heritage assets throughout the area. Much of the area is within the Wood Lane Conservation Area, which centres around the Grade II Listed BBC Television Centre, but also includes the White City London Underground Station, which is a building of merit. The Grade II Listed DIMCO building is to the south of the conservation area. The Shepherds Bush Conservation Area covers Shepherds Bush Green and surrounding buildings, including the Shepherds Bush Empire theatre and the former Odeon Cinema buildings, which are both Grade II Listed.