Local Plan

The Council adopted Local Plan Part 1: Strategic Policies (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).

Superseded Development Management Policies

The Development Management Policies Development Planning Document (DPD) was approved for adoption at the Full Council Meeting on 24 October 2013. The adopted Development Management Policies DPD and related documents can be downloaded below:

Development-Management-Policies-Adoption-Version (October 2013) (PDF)

Waltham Forest Local Plan Policies Map (PDF)

Waltham Forest Inset Maps (PDF)

Copies of the adopted Development Management Policies DPD and related documents are available for inspection at:

• Council's offices
• Waltham Forest libraries

Development Management Policies Examination Inspector’s report

Waltham Forest Development Management Policies Local Plan: A final report on the examination was received from the Inspector on 7 August 2013. This found that the Local Plan provides appropriate policies to guide the planning of the Borough over the next 15 years. This is provided that the main modifications are made.

• Development-Management-Policies-Adoption-with-Inspector's-Modifications (PDF)

Appendix to the report contains these recommended main modifications

• DMP-Local-Plan-Inspector-Final-Report-7-Aug-13 (PDF)
• DMP-Inspector-Report-letter-to-libraries-28-08-13 (PDF)

Examination stage

The Development Management Policies Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for independent examination. The document was submitted on 10 December 2012. Mr Paul Clark BA MA MRTPI was appointed as Inspector to conduct the examination.

Hearing agenda

• Hearing Matters and Issues (PDF)
• Agenda Affordable Housing (PDF)
• Agenda Housing mix and standards (PDF)
• Agenda Energy (PDF)
• Agenda Employment policies (PDF)
• Agenda Parking standards and highway requirements (PDF)
• Agenda Retail frontages (PDF)
• Agenda Health and Wellbeing (PDF)
• Agenda Environmental Protection (PDF)
• Agenda Heritage (PDF)
• Hearing Advice Note document (PDF)
• Public Examination of Waltham Forest - Development Management Policies Local Plan - Council Response to Inspector's Questions (PDF)
• Public Examination of Waltham Forest - Development Management Policies Local Plan - Pre-Hearing Modifications (PDF)
• Public Notice of Independent Examination of Waltham Forest Development Management Policies Submission (PDF)

Hearing Subject Papers

• Affordable Housing Subject Paper (PDF)
• Housing mix and standards Subject Paper (PDF)
• Energy Subject Paper (PDF)
• Employment policies Subject Paper (PDF)
• Parking standards and highway requirements Subject Paper (PDF)
• Retail frontages Subject Paper (PDF)
• Health and Wellbeing Subject Paper (PDF)
• Environmental Protection Subject Paper (PDF)
• Heritage Subject Paper (PDF)

Inspector's questions

• LBWF DMPDPD (Inspector's Questions 1 to 159) (PDF)
• LBWF DMPDPD (Inspector's Questions 160 to 279) (PDF)
• LBWF DMPDPD (Inspector's Questions 280 to 296) (PDF)

Copies of the Waltham Forest Development Management Policies Local Plan and accompanying submission documents are available for inspection at:

• Waltham Forest libraries
• Council offices at Sycamore House (Reception)
• Waltham Forest Town Hall Complex, London E17 4SU

Public Notice for the Submission of the Local Plan Development Management Policies to Secretary of State (PDF)

Letter to local libraries for documents available for inspection (PDF)

Inspector Post-Hearing Modifications

• Notice_DMP Inspector Post Hearing Modifications (PDF)
• DMP_Main Modifications_letter to consultees_01_07_2013 (PDF - coming soon)
• Representation Form Inspector Post-Hearing Modifications (PDF)
• Letter to libraries_DM_Inspector_Modifications_July_2013 (PDF)

Submission documents

• Development Management Policies Proposed Submission (PDF)
• Development Management Policies - Schedule of Post Publication Minor Changes (PDF)
• Development Management Policies - Summary of Main Issues - Regulation 22 (1)(c)(v) (PDF)
• Development Management Policies - Statement of Consultation - Regulation 22(1)(c) (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Proposed Submission - Consultation Report Part I - Summary of Representations and Councils Response - Regulation 22(1)(e) (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Proposed Submission - Consultation Report - Part II - Schedule of Full Representations - Regulation 22(1)(e)(PDF)
• Development Management Policies Proposed Submission - Consultation Report Part III - Copies of Representations - Regulation 22(1)(d) (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Proposed Submission Sustainability Appraisal Report (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Proposed Submission Sustainability Appraisal - Non Technical Summary (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Proposed Submission Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening (PDF)
• Development Management Policies - Equality Analysis (PDF)
• Development Management Policies - Local Plan PAS and NPPF - Self Assessment Checklist (PDF)
• Statement of Community Involvement (PDF)
• Draft Policies Map (PDF)
• Draft Inset Map (PDF)
• Duty to cooperate Statement - Regulation 4 (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Local Plan - Soundness Self-Assessment November 2012 (PDF)

Supporting documents

• Development Management Policies - Issues and Options Document (PDF)
• Development Management Policies - Issues and Options Public Consultation report (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Issues and Options - Initial Sustainability Appraisal (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Issues and Options - Equalities Impact Assessment (PDF)
• Development Management Policies - Preferred Options Document (PDF)
• Development Management Policies - Preferred Options Public Consultation Report (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Preferred Options - Sustainability Appraisal Report (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Preferred Options - Sustainability Non-Technical Summary (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Preferred Options - Habitat Regulations Assessment Screening (PDF)
• Development Management Policies Preferred Options - Equality Impact Assessment Report (PDF)
• LDF Annual Monitoring Report 2010/2011 (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Local Development Scheme 2011-13 (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Sustainable Community Strategy (PDF)

Built Environment

• Waltham Forest Urban Design Supplementary Planning Document (PDF)
• Public Realm Place Making Study - Olympic Gateway Initiative (PDF)
• Guidance on Tall buildings - English Heritage/CABE, July 2007 (PDF)
• Browning Road Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (PDF)
• Chingford Green Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans - LB Waltham Forest (PDF)
• Forest School Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (PDF)
• Leucha Road Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (PDF)
• Orford Road Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (PDF)
• Ropers Field Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (PDF)
• Thornhill Road Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (PDF)
• Walthamstow Village Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (PDF)
• Building for Life 12 (PDF)

Community Services

• Waltham Forest Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 
• Waltham Forest Hot Food Take Away SPD (PDF)
• Watch Out For Health (PDF)
• The London Health Inequalities Strategy (PDF)
• Healthier Communities (Health Inequalities) Strategy, A Healthier, Fairer Waltham Forest (PDF)
• Future Health: Sustainable Places for Health and Wellbeing (PDF)
• Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross Government Strategy for England (PDF)
• Housing and Public Health: A review of Reviews of Interventions for Improving Health (PDF)
• Promoting and Creating Built and Natural Environments That Encourage and Support Physical Activity (PDF)
• NHS Waltham Forest Annual Public Health Report 2010/11 (PDF)
• Crowded Places: The Planning System and Counter-Terrorism (PDF)
• Safer Places: The Planning System and Crime Prevention (PDF)
• Secured by Design - New Homes (PDF)

Climate change

• Waltham Forest Climate Change Strategy (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Energy Strategy (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Carbon Footprinting Report (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Climate Change Evidence Base (PDF)
• Heat Mapping Study (PDF)
• Climate Change Policy Viability Assessment (PDF)
• Upper Lee Valley Decentralised Energy Network Pre-feasibility Study (PDF)

Housing

• Waltham Forest Housing Strategy (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Housing Land Availability Assessment (PDF)
• East London Sub Region Strategic Housing Market Assessment (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Affordable Housing Viability Study (PDF)
• Waltham Forest High Density Housing Qualitative Study (PDF)
• Housing Intensification in Seven South London Town Centres (PDF)
• The London Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and Housing Capacity Study 2009 (PDF)
• Greater London Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2008 (PDF)
• London Housing Design Guide Interim (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Strategic Housing and Market Assessment (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Private Sector Stock Conditions Survey 2011 (PDF)
• Affordable Homes Programme 2011 (PDF)
• Strategic Priorities for the supply of Housing in Waltham Forest 2011 (PDF)
• Financial contributions for small sites - Stage 1 2012 (PDF)
• Financial contributions for small sites - Stage 2 Testing 2012 (PDF)

Infrastructure

• Waltham Forest Strategic Infrastructure Plan: Executive Summary and Main Report (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Strategic Infrastructure Plan: Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Strategic Infrastructure Plan: Transport Needs Assessment (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Strategic Infrastructure Plan: Utilities and Physical Needs Assessment (PDF)

Local economy

• Waltham Forest Local Economic Assessment (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Employment Land Study 2009 (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Strategy for Enterprise, Employment and Skills (PDF)
• High Street Life Strategy (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Retail and Leisure Study (PDF)
• Waltham Forest's Culture Strategy 2010-2030 (PDF)
• A Review of Retail Frontages in Waltham Forest (PDF)
• A Review of Retail Parades in Waltham Forest (PDF)
• DCLG Good Practice Guide on Planning for Tourism (PDF)
• English Partnerships Employment Densities (PDF)
• London Office Policy Review 2009 (PDF)

Green infrastructure

• Waltham Forest Biodiversity Action Plan (PDF)
• Olympic Park Biodiversity Action Plan (PDF)
• Connecting with London's Nature: The Mayor's Biodiversity Strategy (PDF)
• London Plan implementation Report: Improving Londoners Access to Nature (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Open Space Strategy (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Playing Pitch Strategy (PDF)
• Upper Lee Valley Landscape Strategy - Part 1 Strategy (PDF)
• Upper Lee Valley Landscape Strategy - Part 2 Strategy (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Tree Strategy (PDF)
• Green Infrastructure and Open Environments: The All London Green Grid Supplementary Planning Guidance (PDF)
• Green Infrastructure and Open Environments: London's Foundations: Protecting The Geodiversity of the Capital Supplementary Planning Guidance (PDF)
• National Ecosystem Assessment Defra 2011 (PDF)
• Shaping Neighbourhoods Play and Informal Recreation Supplementary Planning Guidance (PDF)

Water

• The EU Water Framework Directive (PDF)
• Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the Development Management Policies, LBWF, 2011 (PDF file) - coming shortly
• North London Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (PDF)
• Thames Catchment Flood Management Plan Summary Report (PDF)
• London Rivers Action Plan: A Tool to Help Restore Rivers for People and Nature (PDF)
• Draft Surface Water Management Plan, September 2011 (PDF)

Transport

• Chingford to Stratford Appraisal - re-introducing a train service (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Cycling Action Plan
• Streetcar in Property Developments Waltham Forest (PDF)
• North London - Developing a Sub-Regional Transport Plan - Interim report on Challenges and Opportunities, Transport for London, 2010 (PDF)
• London's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy (PDF)
• Lea Bridge Station - Reopening of Lea Bridge Station (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Local Implementation Plan 2011-14 (PDF)

Environmental Protection

• Air Quality Action Plan (PDF)
• Mayor's Air Quality Strategy (PDF)
• Air Quality Review - Stage 3 (PDF)
• Air Quality Review - Stage 4 (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Contaminated Land Strategy (PDF)

Other documents

• London Plan, Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London - July 2011 (external website)
• Waltham Forest Local Development Framework - Northern Olympic Fringe Area Action Plan - Preferred Options (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Local Development Framework - Blackhorse Lane Area Action Plan - Preferred Options (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Local Development Framework - Walthamstow Town Centre Area Action Plan - Preferred Options (PDF)

Additional evidence

• National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People (PDF)
• East London Guidance on HMO Standards (3) (PDF)
• Waltham Forest Local Plan Evidence Base, Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 (PDF)
• Blackhorse Lane Area Action Plan proposed Submission (PDF)
• Walthamstow Town Centre Area Action plan proposed Submission (PDF)
• Lee Valley Park Development Framework - coming shortly
• London Borough of Waltham Forest Planning Obligations SPD (PDF)
• DEFRA/Environment Agency Soil Guideline Values - coming shortly
• Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance (PDF)
• London Councils Air Quality and Planning Guidance (PDF)
• Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings Code of Practice (PDF)
• Method for Rating Industrial Noise Affecting Mixed Residential and Industrial Areas (PDF)
• Institute of Lighting Engineers Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light (PDF)
• Viability Assessment Report: Cumulative Impact of Proposed Planning Policies (PDF)