The council's executive on 22 June will be considering a 10 year plan for improving Islington. Islington's Core Strategy, will shape the future of the borough for years to come and describes the council's aspirations on a range of key planning and regeneration issues including housing, transport and the environment.
The Core Strategy comes after almost a year of consultation with local people, businesses and organisations throughout Islington.
The council's leader Councillor James Kempton said: "There is a very special character to Islington and this council will fight to preserve this and keep Islington special. It is absolutely right that this vision for the future of Islington has been developed from the views of so many local people.
I'm delighted so many individuals and groups from across the borough have taken the time to be part of the council's consultation over the last year. I would like to express my personal thanks to everyone who responded for their contributions.
"The issues covered are among the most important facing the borough. I know from listening to local people that what concerns residents most, is that our streets are safe and unthreatening, that there are more jobs, more affordable homes for local people and that key services like refuse collection and public transport are reliable, convenient and good value.
"Good planning practices can play an important part in managing how we deliver these aims without damaging the special character of our borough. I am determined that our guidelines do as much as possible to improve the quality of life for everyone and make Islington the best place in London to live, work and do business."
The Core Strategy covers:
Community safety -- the council will reduce crime and the fear of crime in Islington with:
· Better cared for streets with less graffiti and street clutter
· Designing out crime (examples available eg agreeing better lighting on buildings etc)
Housing -- Islington is already densely populated, facilities are stretched so the council will:
· Lobby the Greater London Assembly to maintain the lower target of 900 new homes per year
· Increase affordable housing to 50% of any new development
Environment -- Islington to contribute towards a less polluted planet by adopting the most progressive environmental building practices:
· All new developments to include recycling facilities and water saving feature
· Council to move away from land-fill
Transport -- the council will help pedestrians and cyclists by:
· Encouraging safer walking routes to help children and older people feel safe walking
· Encourage local facilities to stay local and reduce the need for car journeys
Development -- the council will develop Islington for local people and businesses:
· Tall building applications restricted to special zones (eg Kings Cross, Finsbury Park, City Fringes)
· New retail development targeted at existing shopping areas with good transport links meaning fewer car journeys
· Capitalise on new retail and hotel development ahead of 2012 Olympics and gain maximum benefit for the borough from section 106 agreements
Quality of life -- the council will:
· Maintain the local character of neighbourhoods and reduce the likelihood of high street cloning
· Produce a design guide to ensure architecture and public spaces that local people are proud of
Workspace and business -- the council will:
· protect local workspace that are being lost to luxury housing
· encourage local workspace development that means local jobs, a better work-life balance and less commuting
Following adoption by the executive the Core Strategy will be considered for approval by a meeting of the full council.
It will then be sent to Secretary of State for the Environment who in-turn will consult on it with local stakeholders. The strategy will then be subject to independent inspection before full formal adoption in July 2007.
Draft copies of the Islington Core Strategy are available from wwww.islington.gov.uk/democracy
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008