Carlos

The London Plan clearly states that where large residential sites are near to Areas for Regeneration the appraisal should take account of social and economic impact assessments (Assessing Community Impact and Ensuring Community Benefit). The policy states: // “Major developments in, or with the potential to impact on, Areas for Regeneration should be subject to social and economic impact assessments. These should consider the direct and indirect effects of a development on Areas for Regeneration, and be prepared by developers, in close collaboration with local community organisations and other local partners. Arrangements for fast-tracking such assessments should be put in place. // // Local neighbourhood needs, identified by local community organisations and other local partners, should be used as a basis for negotiating local community benefit from development, including Section 106 agreements.” // The supporting text to Policy 3A.25 states that ‘developers will be expected to consider the wider social and economic impacts of proposals on Areas for Regeneration by carrying out local social and economic impact assessments for developments of a particular scale’. Had the applicants undertaken a social and economic impact assessment for the scheme, both applicant and the Council would gain a better appreciation of the community value to the area. Objective two is to make London a better city for people to live in. The London Plan has a clear policy direction to address the differing needs of London’s diverse population and to provide a framework that enhances the cultural assets of London building upon racial and cultural differences that reinforce London’s diversity. The Policy states: // “Boroughs should: // · // Work with retailers and other to prevent the loss of retail facilities that provide essential convenience and specialist shopping…” // Objective 3 strives to make London a more prosperous city with strong and diverse economic growth. Amongst the key policy directions is need to ‘strengthen the diversity of London’s economy, provide for small and ethnic minority businesses and encourage local enterprise, including social enterprise, throughout London”. The Policy states: // “The Mayor will work with strategic partners to support and to develop London’s economy as one of the three world cities. He will: // · // Seek a range of premises of different types, sizes and costs to meet the needs of different sectors of the economy and firms of different types and sizes… // · // Match the spatial application of policies to the needs of different sectors and markets within the London economy including small and medium enterprises and black and minority ethnic businesses. // · // Facilitate social enterprise and community development // The proposal fails to comply with the three key criteria set out in the policy. Objective 4 is to promote social inclusion and tackle deprivation and discrimination. In this regard, the London plan sets policy directions to tackle discrimination, building on the economic and cultural strengths of London’s diversity and to ensure that local communities benefit from economic growth and are engages in the development process. The Policy states: // “The mayor will, and boroughs should, work with local communities to recognise and manage local distinctiveness ensuring proposed developments preserve or enhance local social, physical, cultural, historical, environmental and economic characteristics.” // The development fundamentally fails to preserve the social, cultural and economic distinctiveness of Wards Corner. This development directly conflicts with many of the most important policies in the London Plan. The application fails to deliver the fundamental objective of achieving sustainable development. PPS 1 states: // “The Government is committed to developing strong, vibrant and sustainable communities and to promoting community cohesion in both urban and rural areas. This means meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting personal well-being, social cohesion and inclusion and creating equal opportunity for all citizens” // A development which causes harm to the community cannot, by definition, constitute sustainable development. The distinctiveness of Wards Corner will be lost as a result of the proposed development, especially to BME groups. The impact of a development on a community or particular racial group is relevant material planning consideration. The planning application is deficient in that it does not assess the impact of the development proposals on the community. The community has not been understood or taken into account and the benefits of the scheme have not been weighed against the harm it will cause to the community. (Also environmental issues against sustainability)
 * Carlos – Arguments against the Grainger proposal. **
 * 1. **__ Wards Corner is part of district town centre __
 * 1) occupied mainly by businesses
 * 2) 10s of residents, some are traders
 * 3) interfering with composition of the area will have serious impact on this town centre
 * 4) no consideration given
 * 2. **__ Studies not based in fact __
 * 1) did not interview local people to gather information
 * 2) information used inaccurate
 * 3) as much as we have tried to present the case, not taken on board and therefore faulty in presentation of the plan
 * 4) No evidence new will strengthen diversity
 * 3. **__ Guidance and references used to support the planning application approval decision has serious omissions __ :
 * 1) ** Social and Economic assessment - Policy 3A.25 **
 * 1) ** Meaningful work to prevent loss of facilities specialist shops - Policy 3D.3 **
 * 1) ** Range of premises to match, esp. small business/social enterprise and community development - Policy 3B.1 **
 * 1) ** Respecting social context, character and amenity - Policy 4B.7 **
 * i. ** no work with local communities
 * ii. ** not based in local distinctiveness
 * iii. ** preserving, enhancing local social, economic, environmental part of town centre
 * 4. **__ Development not sustainable __
 * PPS **** 1: Government's overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system. **