Last updated: 11 March 2024
Next review: 5 March 2025
About the Local Plan
The Local Plan is the key planning document for the borough. It sets out a 15-year vision and framework that is used to shape developments and guide decisions on where, how much, and what kind of development is needed in order to meet the borough’s needs.
In Waltham Forest, the Local Plan has two parts:
- Local Plan Part 1 (LP1) 2020-2035 – adopted 29 February 2024 (PDF)
- Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations (LP2) – in draft
The Council adopted Local Plan Part 1 (LP1) on 29 February 2024. This document sets out a spatial vision, strategic objectives and a planning policy framework for development in the Borough until 2035, and includes thematic policies on topics such as housing, climate change, green and blue infrastructure, and heritage. It replaces the previously adopted development plan documents including the Core Strategy (2012), Development Management Policies Document (2013) and the Area Action Plans for Walthamstow Town Centre (2014) and Blackhorse Lane (2015). Further details on the examination of LP1 can be found on the Local Plan Examination Webpage.
The Council are in the process of preparing Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations (LP2). The document has been subject to 2 public consultations, and the Council will hold a further statutory consultation on the document in the summer/ autumn 2024. The most recent version of the document was published for consultation in November 2021, see below.
- Download the Proposed Submission Local Plan (LP2) document - Site allocations (PDF)
- LP2 Regulation 19 Non-Technical Summary (PDF)
- LP2 Regulation 19 Sustainability Appraisal Report (PDF)
- LP2 Sustainability Appraisal Report Appendix A - Review of Relevant Plans, Policies and Programmes (PDF)
- LP2 Sustainability Appraisal Report Appendix B - Baseline Data (PDF)
- LP2 Sustainability Appraisal Report Appendix C - Site Allocations Assessment (Excel)
- LP2 Sustainability Appraisal Report Appendix D - Rejected Sites (Excel)
Supporting documents
- DRAFT LP2 Habitats Regulations Assessment (PDF)
- LP2 Equalities Impact Assessment (PDF)
- LP2 Local Plan Evidence Base
- Draft Skyline Study November 2021: Introduction, Methodology and North Waltham Forest Sites (PDF)
- Draft Skyline Study November 2021: Central Waltham Forest Sites (PDF)
- Draft Skyline Study November 2021: South Waltham Forest Sites 1 (PDF)
- Draft Skyline Study November 2021: South Waltham Forest Sites 2 (PDF)
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Local Plan Policies Map
The Policies Map has details of where development is planned and proposals to allocate land for specific types of development. The Policies Map has been updated alongside the adoption of the new Local Plan Part 1 (LP1) on 29 February 2024.
- Local Plan Policies Map (PDF)
Contact: planning.policy@walthamforest.gov.uk if you require a high-resolution PDF version.
Local Plan and London Plan
Our Local Plan, like other London boroughs, must be in 'general conformity' with the overall London Plan. This is the 'Spatial Development Strategy for London' and is set by the Mayor of London.