A number of planning documents are used to help determine planning applications. These documents set out what can be built and where, how buildings are used, and how local needs can be addressed. These planning documents are produced at the national, London-wide and local borough level.
National Planning Policy Framework
The National Planning Policy Framework (external link) sets out the government’s planning policies for England. It provides guidance for local councils in drawing up plans and making decisions about planning applications
The London Plan
The London Plan (external link) is produced by the Mayor of London, and is the overall strategic plan for London. It forms part of Islington’s development plan. Islington’s Local Plan need to be in general conformity with the London Plan.
Islington's Local Plan
Islington’s Local Plan is used to plan strategically across the borough, looking at future needs to be addressed, what change is likely to happen and where. The Local Plan contains a number of policies for ensuring that the borough develops in a sustainable manner.
The Local Plan is currently made up of the Core Strategy (adopted in 2011) and ‘saved’ policies of the Unitary Development Plan (2002). The council is in the final stages of preparing three other documents - Development Management Policies, Site Allocations and the Finsbury Local Plan – which, when adopted, will supersede the Unitary Development Plan.
The North London Waste Plan is being produced in partnership with six other boroughs to identify sites for managing North London’s waste up to 2027. When adopted, this will also form part of Islington’s Local Plan.
To complement the Local Plan, the council produces guidance for development on specific sites, or on particular issues, such as design. This is set out in Supplementary Planning Documents and other planning guidance.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
The Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge on new development to raise funds for infrastructure such as sports and community facilities, schools, parks, playspace, health facilities and the transport network. The Mayor of London's Community Infrastructure Levy is already in place to raise funds for Crossrail, which Islington Council administers. The council commenced work on Islington's Community Infrastructure Levy in July 2012.