Watford Final Draft Local Plan 2018-2036

Section of Local Plan

Purpose of the section

The Local Plan and the Spatial Strategy

Introduces the Local Plan and sets out the objectives to be achieved when development comes forward.

Chapter 1:

A Spatial Strategy for Watford

Introduces the Local Plan and provides an overview of key planning themes through the document. Sets out the approach to growth and the principles behind the Core Development Area. Proposals for new development are to accord with the respective strategic development area policy and with the strategic and local planning policies elsewhere in the Local Plan.

Chapter 2:

Core Development Area

Sets out the principles for development in the Core Development Area and locally specific opportunities and constraints in the Strategic Development Areas.

Planning policies to guide development

Proposals for new development are to accord with strategic and local planning policies across different chapters in the Local Plan.

Chapter 3:

Homes for a Growing Community

Provides a framework to deliver the housing needed in the borough, including types and sizes of homes for people with different needs from single people, to families, to those with disabilities.

Chapter 4:

A Strong Economy

Provides a structure to support economic growth and enable an economy that can adapt to changing economic conditions.

Chapter 5:

A Vibrant Town

A framework to retain Watford town centre as the focus for retail, leisure, entertainment and cultural activities with flexibility to adapt to changing economic conditions. This will be supported by a network of sustainable local centres.

Chapter 6:

An Attractive Town

This section sets out the design standards new development will be expected to achieve in order gain planning permission.

Chapter 7:

The Historic Environment

Sets out the key principles to protect Watford's heritage and what proposals will need to consider if they affect a heritage asset, such as a listed building or conservation area.

Chapter 8:

A Climate Emergency

Sets out requirements that new buildings need to achieve to reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards the borough becoming carbon neutral, while mitigating impacts associated with climate change, such as living environments, building quality and flood risk.

Chapter 9:

Conserving and Enhancing the Environment

Policies to manage and improve the outdoor environment for people and wildlife, enhance biodiversity and manage impacts on the environment when new development comes forward.

Chapter 10:

Infrastructure

Provides the framework for delivery of the infrastructure needed to support new development.

Chapter 11:

A Sustainable Travel Town

Sets out an approach to enable better mobility and access to services and facilities, a more balanced reliance on different modes of transport and to encourage a shift towards greater use of public transport, walking and cycling.

Chapter 12:

A Healthy Community

The role of promoting good health in the built environment is increasingly recognised and this chapter discusses the key threads that run through the Plan.

Sites for development

Proposals for new development are to accord with strategic and local planning policies across different chapters in the Local Plan.

Chapter 13:

Site Allocations and New Development

Identifies land suitable for new development and the types of land uses that would be acceptable, along with site-specific issues that should be considered by applicants.