Highways advice for developers

Waltham Forest Highways has adopted the use of Construction Logistics Plans (CLPs) following the guidance published by Transport for London and CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety). The Council requires an Outline CLP to be submitted with a planning application for approval before planning permission, and a Detailed CLP to be submitted and approved before the commencement of any work on site. Further information on CLPs can be found below.

Highways has adopted the Construction Logistics Plan (CLP) process guidance from Transport for London and CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety). A CLP is required for any type of development that may have an impact on the public highway. Waltham Forest is in a period of growth. Construction vehicle impacts, routes, and construction activities need to be managed and coordinated. A CLP enables the highway authority to -

• understand the impacts of a development on the public highway network arising from construction access and vehicle routes.
• secure mitigation measures.
• enable monitoring of CLPs during construction.

A CLP will be expected for most development sites where new building work is taking place. The CLP requirements depend on the potential impact of the site on the highway, as determined by Waltham Forest Highways.   The Council will determine the highway impact of the development: Low Impact, Medium Impact or High Impact. Factors taken into consideration will include: 

• The extent of development (site area, number of houses, flats, commercial units etc.)
• Construction period, and possible conflict with other events in the area
• Other traffic generators (including pedestrian movements) are likely to be affected by the construction, proximity to other places that attract pedestrians or traffic
• The effect on key “Enjoy Waltham Forest” areas or planned areas, specifically including cycling and walking
• The effect of the construction on congestion, both for pedestrians and motor vehicle users
• Other construction activities in the area
• The nearness of numbers of vulnerable road users, e.g. schools, old people’s homes
• The special significance of the area, e.g. important roads, a town centre, public transport

Where development works are mostly minor refurbishment, a CLP may not be required, however, this is subject to the location of the proposal. A Detailed CLP may be required for low-impact sites with specific construction impacts or in sensitive locations.

There are two types of CLP; both need Waltham Forest Highways approval before moving to the next stage of the planning and development process:

1. The Outline CLP is submitted with the planning application, to be approved by Waltham Forest Highways prior to planning permission being granted.

2. The Detailed CLP is submitted pre-construction, as a pre-commencement planning condition.

Planning/ design stage

Pre-construction/ Construction Stage

Waltham Forest Highways follows the guidance developed by Transport for London (TfL) and CLOCS (which recommends that anyone writing a CLP gains CLP Practitioner Accreditation). CLP guidance and details of training and be found on the CLOCS website. 

• An Outline CLP is required with a planning application. The Outline CLP will be expected to follow the standard format and include all the content outlined in the guidance. If the CLP does not follow this format or is missing information, it will be returned, and the developer requested to re-submit in the correct format. Waltham Forest Highways will comment on the Outline CLP as part of the planning consultation and may request further information or changes before the Outline CLP is approved. The Outline CLP needs to be agreed by Waltham Forest Highways prior to the development obtaining a planning decision.

Download the Outline CLP template

• A Detailed CLP is required as a pre-commencement planning condition. The Detailed CLP will be expected to follow the standard format, with the content outlined in the guidance. If the CLP does not follow this format or is missing information, it will be returned, and the developer requested to re-submit in the correct format. Waltham Forest Highways will make comments as part of the planning condition process and may request further information or changes before the Detailed CLP is approved. The Detailed CLP must be approved by Waltham Forest Highways in order to discharge the planning condition. No demolition or construction can take place until this happens. Submitting a good quality CLP will reduce the time to get the planning condition discharged.

Download the Detailed CLP template

• A S106 contribution for CLP monitoring is requested where any site requires a CLP.

Using the CLP template as a guide, a typical CLP would be the following length.

For larger sites, phased sites, sites with particular issues, additional pages may be needed in some sections, usually in section 4.

To help get a CLP approved, it should be:

1. Timely: It’s part of the planning approval process, and pre-commencement process.
2. Consistent and Complete: Consistent with the template and other CLPs.
3. Simple:  Do not include text that doesn’t add value.
4. Proportionate: More detail is required for more impactful developments.
5. Compliant: A compliant CLP will reduce delays as it will not need to be returned to the developer for revisions. Where revisions are needed this will add delays to the planning approval stages.

Read the full CLP guidance for content on the CLOCS website. 

Design stage: Outline CLP. The onus lies with the developer to propose the level of CLP required and for Waltham Forest Highways to comment. This should happen during the pre-planning meeting. An Outline CLP is submitted as part of the planning application.

Pre-construction / Construction stage: Detailed CLP. A site contractor should be “on board”, and if not engaged previously should confirm the feasibility of any Planned Measures in accordance with the required level of commitment. Construction begins once the Detailed CLP has been approved by Waltham Forest Highways and becomes part of the construction methodology.

The consequences for not following the process are:

• If the Outline CLP is not approved, planning permission will not be granted.
• If the Detailed CLP is not approved construction cannot begin.

This can delay construction timelines incurring additional costs and inconvenience to the developer.

Once planning approval is granted, the Planned Measures included in the CLP become a formal commitment. Non-delivery of those measures may incur penalties, and in the worst case, a site stop notice.

Monitoring takes place during the construction period to ensure the CLP Planned Measures, access and routing arrangements are being followed. Monitoring may consist of site observations and site visits. Developers may also be requested to install CCTV cameras for remote monitoring and may be required to use other technological methods appropriate for the location.