Local Plan examination (LP1)

Adoption

The Council adopted the new Local Plan Part 1 (LP1) on 29 February 2024.

The Local Plan Part 1 (LP1) incorporates all the ‘main modifications’ and policy map changes recommended by the Planning Inspectors as necessary to make the Plan sound and/or legally compliant (see below), as well as ‘additional modifications’ that have been made by the Council to realise technical, factual, grammatical and typographical corrections that do not materially affect the policies in the Plan.

Schedule of Additional Modifications (February 2024) (PDF)

Any person aggrieved by the adoption of the Local Plan Any person aggrieved by the adoption of the Local Plan may make an application to the High Court under Section 113 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended). Any challenge must be made on the grounds that:

a. The document is not within the appropriate power; and/or

b. A procedural requirement has not been complied with.

Any such application must be made promptly, and in any event, no later than the end of the period of six weeks after the date of this notice. The six-week period commences on 29 February 2024 and concludes on 11 April 2024.

Any queries relating to the Local Plan should be made to localplanconsultations@walthamforest.gov.uk.

Examination

Before the Council can adopt the Local Plan, it goes through several stages of public consultation. It is also checked to make sure it complies with government policies and regulations. We then submit it to the Secretary of State for independent Examination in Public by the Planning Inspectorate.

The Waltham Forest Local Plan (Part 1) was submitted to the Secretary of State in April 2021. Examination in Public began with the appointment of the Planning Inspectors, and receipt of their Preliminary Matters in June 2021. Hearing Sessions were held in March 2022 and March 2023. Receipt of the Inspectors' Final Report on 8 January 2024 marked the end of Examination in Public.

Local Plan Examination Survey

The Planning Inspectorate would like your feedback about the examination. If you were involved in the examination because you made comments in writing and/or you took part in a hearing session, then we would be very pleased if you could fill in this short survey. Any comments you make will be confidential.‘

Further updates about the progress towards adopting the Local Plan will be posted on this webpage.

Local Plan Part 1 Towards Adoption

Following the Main Modifications Consultation in September 2023, the Council have now received the Inspectors’ Local Plan Examination Report.

As requested by the Council, discussed throughout the examination process and consulted on between July and September 2023, the Inspectors’ report recommends a number of “main modifications” to the Waltham Forest Local Plan (LP1) 2020 – 2035.

The report concludes that, with those Main Modifications incorporated, Waltham Forest Local Plan Part 1 provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the borough, and that it is sound and legally compliant. It also concludes that, subject to those modifications, “the Plan will be viable having regard to policy requirements and the arrangements for Plan monitoring and delivery are robust”.

The Inspectors' final report and appendix can be found below:

Waltham Forest LP Final Report – Inspectors Changes 8 January 2024 (PDF)
Appendix: Schedule of Main Modifications (PDF)

The council has written the attached guide to understand the Inspectors’ report, which you may find useful.

Understanding the Local Plan and Inspectors Report (PDF)

Arrangements are now being made for the Cabinet and Full Council to consider the adoption of the new Local Plan in light of the Inspectors’ report.

Local Plan Part 1 Main Modifications Consultation

Consultation on the main modifications finished on Thursday 21 September 2023.

The Council received the following representations on the main modifications. These have now been sent to the Inspectors for their consideration as they draft the Local Plan Examination Report.

MMC01 – The SoCo (PDF)

MMC02 – Waltham Forest Civic Society (PDF)

MMC03 – McCarthy and Stone (PDF)

MMC04 – Conservative Councillors Group (PDF)

MMC05 – David and Geraldine Kendall (PDF)

MMC06 – Julian Cheyne (PDF)

MMC07 – Environment Agency (PDF)

MMC08 – Mike Sparrow (PDF)

MMC09 – Prologis c/o Lichfields (PDF)

MMC10 – Drysdale and District Residents Association (DADRA) (PDF)

MMC11 – London Hotel Group (PDF)

MMC12 – BlackRock and NEAT Developments (PDF)

MMC13 – Waltham Forest Civic Society (Part 2) (PDF)

MMC14 – Richard Snape (PDF)

MMC15 – Ruth Lovell (PDF)

MMC16 – Claire Lovell (PDF)

MMC17 – Carolyn Lovell (PDF)

MMC18 – Stonecrest Marble (PDF)

MMC19 – Tushar Kelkar (PDF)

MMC20 – Juliet Guiness (PDF)

MMC21 – Derek Cockerill (PDF)

MMC22 – Mayor of London (PDF)

MMC23 – TTL Properties Limited (PDF)

MMC24 – Nigel Reynolds (PDF)

MMC25 – Nigel Mear (PDF)

MMC26 – Janet McPartland (PDF)

MMC27 – Diane Mackey (PDF)

MMC28 – Stephen and Sue Malme (PDF)

MMC29 – Historic England (PDF)

MMC30 – David Jennings (PDF)

MMC31 – Adèle Bird (PDF)

MMC32 – MPC – Designing Out Crime (PDF)

MMC33 – Barbara Sakarya (PDF)

MMC34 – Stephen Lovell (PDF)

MMC35 – Rosy Villar (PDF)

MMC36 – Ruairidh Villar (PDF)

MMC37 – Martin Levin (PDF)

MMC38 – Gerry Delbourgo (PDF)

MMC39 – Jacqueline Stafford (PDF)

MMC40 – Delia Born (PDF)

MMC41 – Sonja Klug (PDF)

MMC42 – Highams Park Planning Group (PDF)

MMC43 – Valerie Gay (PDF)

MMC44 – John Whipp (PDF)

MMC45 – Shrenee Nesaratnam (PDF)

MMC46 – June Laverick (PDF)

MMC47 – Nanette Higgins (PDF)

MMC48 – N Cope (PDF)

MMC49 – Ian Rampton (PDF)

MMC50 – Jarmila Piero (PDF)

MMC51 – Catherine Skeggs (PDF)

MMC52 – Michael Killoran (PDF)

MMC53 – Raymond Moffat (PDF)

MMC54 – Allan Thompson (PDF)

MMC55 – Peter Clarke (PDF)

MMC56 – Natural England (PDF)

MMC57 – Alan Piper (PDF)

MMC58 – Loraine Thompson (PDF)

MMC59 – Michelle Cotter (PDF)

MMC60 – Gerald Osmund (PDF)

MMC61 – Chris Thorndyke (PDF)

MMC62 – Gary Walsh (PDF)

MMC63 – Margaret Wickenden (PDF)

MMC64 – Field Family (PDF)

MMC65 – John Hugill (PDF)

MMC66 – Elisabeth Flint (PDF)

MMC67 – Rosemary Langlands (PDF)

MMC68 – Abigail Woodman (PDF)

MMC69 – NHS Property Services (PDF)

MMC70 – Sport England (PDF)

MMC71 – Rosemary Langlands (Part 2) (PDF)

MMC72 – Rosemary Langlands (Part 3) (PDF)

MMC73 – Transport for London (PDF)

MMC74 – Anthony Thorne (PDF)

MMC75 – S Clark (PDF)

Thursday 27 July to Thursday 21 September 2023.

Following the Examination in Public hearings in March 2023, the Planning Inspectors and the Council have agreed a schedule of Main Modifications proposed to make Local Plan Part 1 sound and/or legally compliant.

Local Plan Part 1 Schedule of proposed Main Modifications (PDF)

The proposed Main Modifications will now be subject to an eight-week consultation from 27th July to 21st September 2023. Responses to this consultation will be forwarded to the Inspectors, who will take them into account before issuing their report on the Plan. If the Inspectors find the Plan sound, the Council will then be able to take steps to adopt it later in 2023/ early in 2024.

The proposed Main Modifications have been subject to updated Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, as set out in the following supporting documents:

The Policies Map illustrates the application of policies in the Plan geographically. It is not defined in legislation as a development plan document, but needs to be updated in line with the proposed Main Modifications. For completeness, the Council is therefore also inviting comments on the Proposed Changed to Submission Policies Map.

Proposed Changes to Submission Policies Map  (PDF)

For ease of use, a modified version of the Plan is available below to review alongside the schedule of Main Modifications. It is important to note that this is for information only. Any representations you wish to make should refer to the Main Modifications schedule, and if there are discrepancies between the documents, it is the schedule which takes precedence.

Local Plan Part 1 with Proposed Modifications (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) (PDF)

The Council also proposes a number of “Additional Modifications” to the Plan. These changes are not necessary for legal compliance and/or soundness but are proposed to enhance the clarity of the Plan and provide factual updates. For completeness, a schedule of these Additional Modifications is available below, but please note that representations on Additional Modifications are not sought as part of this consultation.

Local Plan Part 1 Schedule of proposed Additional Modifications (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) (PDF)

The Council has also made revisions to the following Local Plan evidence documents to inform the proposed Main Modifications:

The Inspectors will take into account any comments received In relation to the following documents which have been published alongside the schedule of Main Modifications:

Sustainability Appraisal of the Main Modifications
Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Main Modifications
Updated Five Year Housing Land Supply Statement
Updated Housing Trajectory

You can make representations on the Main Modifications and/or Policies Map Changes in the following ways:

By following this link: https://walthamforest-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/pp/lp1_mainmods
By emailing localplanconsultations@walthamforest.gov.uk
By writing to the Local Plan Team, Place Directorate, Waltham Forest Town Hall, Fellowship Square, Forest Road, London, E17 4JF.

Please send us your response by 5pm on 21 September 2023, and include the Main Modification reference number (MM1, MM2 etc) to which your representation refers.

As the Main Modifications are proposed to make the Plan sound and/or legally compliant, you should consider the tests of soundness when submitting any representation. Paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2021) states that plans are sound if they are:

positively prepared
justified
effective and
consistent with national policy.

This consultation is not an opportunity to raise matters relating to other parts of the Plan that have already been considered by the Inspectors during the Examination process.

Please note that your response will not be treated as confidential. Your comment and name will be made public as it will form part of the Local Plan evidence base, and we are required to provide your full details to the Planning Inspectors and Programme Officer.

If you have any queries, please email localplanconsultations@walthamforest.gov.uk

Local Plan Examination Stage 2 Autumn 2022

Following the March 2023 hearing sessions, the Inspectors have written their post-hearing letter and the next stage in the Local Plan Examination will be a consultation on proposed main modifications

Stage 2 Post Hearing Session letter 4.423 (PDF)
Week 3 follow-up list (PDF)

The Council has undertaken further work to address the soundness issues highlighted in the Inspectors post hearing letter of 5 May 2022. This updated evidence is detailed below and comprises seven key documents and a Topic Paper which sets out how each issue raised has been addressed.

The Inspectors have now written their Further Matters, Issues and Questions relating to this updated evidence, which will form the basis of a new round of public consultation. The consultation ran from 5 December 2022 to 12 noon on 23 January 2023 with consultation responses directly addressing the questions in the inspectors' Further Matters, Issues and Questions.

Following this consultation, hearing sessions resumed on Tuesday 7 March 2023 with further sessions on 8,9 and 10 of March 2023. These sessions were held at Waltham Forest Town Hall.

Draft Stage 2 Hearing Sessions Programme : 7 - 10 March 2023 (PDF)

Note: You are advised to contact the programme officer if there are any concerns with the draft programme.

Consultation Letter - Examination in Public Stage 2 Consultation (PDF)
Inspectors' Further Matters Issues and Questions (PDF)
Examination Consultation Guidance Note (Amended 09/12/2022) (PDF)
Examination Consultation Draft Programme (PDF)
Local Plans: taking part in examinations (Link to Government guidance webpage)

Local Plan Hearing Session Documents and Agendas

Responses to Inspectors' Further Matters Issues and Questions

Matter 1: Duty to Cooperate and Other Legal Requirements

Council Response

Matter 1: Duty to Cooperate and Other Legal Requirements (PDF)

External Responses

Natural England (PDF)

TFL Property (PDF)

Waltham Forest Civic Society (PDF)

DADRA (Drysdale and District Residents Association) (PDF)

R Gillham Chingford Line Users Association / Highams Park Planning Group (PDF)

D Boote (PDF)

M Chrimes / Costa Coffee Group (PDF)

M Munday (PDF)

B O'Leary (PDF)

S Ritten (PDF)

A Stannard (PDF)

A Woodman (PDF)

Matter 2: Vision, Strategic Objectives, Sustainable Development

Council Response

Matter 2: Vision, Strategic Objectives, Sustainable Development (PDF)

External Responses

City of London Corporation (PDF)

Waltham Forest Conservative Councillors (PDF)

Waltham Forest Civic Society (PDF)

Highams Park Planning Group (PDF)

R Gillham Chingford Line Users Association / Highams Park Planning Group (PDF)

M Chrimes / Costa Coffee Group (PDF)

The Arch Company Properties / Turley (PDF)

Black Rock & Neat Developments / Turley (PDF)

J Avis (PDF)

D Boote (PDF)

R Cade (PDF)

J Cheyne (PDF)

H Green (PDF)

D Matson (PDF)

B O'Leary (PDF)

J Reades (PDF)

Matter 3: Housing, Land Supply and Borough-wide Housing Policies

Council Response

Matter 3: Housing, Land Supply and Borough-wide Housing Policies (PDF)

External Responses

City of London Corporation (PDF)

Waltham Forest Civic Society (PDF)

Highams Park Planning Group (PDF)

Waltham Forest Conservative Councillors (PDF)

The Arch Company Properties / Turley (PDF)

Aitch Group (PDF)

Black Rock & Neat Developments / Turley (PDF)

Silverwood Properties / Michael Burrows Associates (PDF)

J Avis (PDF)

D Boote (PDF)

J Gilbert (PDF)

H Green (PDF)

M Munday (PDF)

B O'Leary (PDF)

J Sterland (PDF)

Matter 4: Employment and the Vitality of Centres

Council Response

Matter 4: Employment and the Vitality of Centres (PDF)

External Responses

Greater London Authority (GLA) (PDF)

M Chrimes / Costa Coffee Group (PDF)

Black Rock & Neat Developments / Turley (PDF)

Prologis / Lichfields (PDF)

D Boote (PDF)

J Reades (PDF)

Matter 5: The Environment, Climate Change, Pollution and Waste Management

Council Response

Matter 5: The Environment, Climate Change, Pollution and Waste Management (PDF)

External Responses

Environment Agency (PDF)

Transport for London (TfL) Property (PDF)

Waltham Forest Civic Society (PDF)

Prologis / Knight Frank (PDF)

D Boote (PDF)

A Stannard (PDF)

C Weiss (PDF)

Matter 6: Built Environment Heritage and Design

Council Response

Matter 6: Built Environment Heritage and Design

External Responses

Greater London Authority (GLA) (PDF)

City of London Corporation (PDF)

Highams Park Planning Group (PDF)

R Gillham Chingford Line Users Association / Highams Park Planning Group (PDF)

Waltham Forest Civic Society (PDF)

DADRA (Drysdale and District Residents Association) (PDF)

Waltham Forest Conservative Councillors (PDF)

The Arch Company Properties / Turley (PDF)

Black Rock & Neat Developments / Turley (PDF)

The London Hotel Group / Avison Young (PDF)

J Avis (PDF)

D Boote (PDF)

R Cade (PDF)

J Cheyne (PDF)

D Matson (PDF)

B O'Leary (PDF)

I McGill (PDF)

K McGill (PDF)

J Reades (PDF)

K Schling (PDF)

A Stannard (PDF)

E Turner (PDF)

C Weiss (PDF)

Further External Responses

London Parks and Gardens (PDF)

Highams Residents Association (PDF)

T Buggins (PDF)

C De'Ath (PDF)

J De'Ath (PDF)

S De'Ath (PDF)

L Dodd (PDF)

B Frearson (PDF)

Dr R Gay (PDF)

T Golburn (PDF)

J Gilbert (PDF)

T Gray (PDF)

A Harber Kelly (PDF)

M Lane (PDF)

A Morris (PDF)

M Munday (PDF)

M Paul (PDF)

G Poulter (PDF)

J Poulter (PDF)

K Poulter (PDF)

I Rampton (PDF)

Y Sanders (PDF)

H Shah (PDF)

R Shah (PDF)

K Sheed (PDF)

A Stannard (PDF)

E Turner (PDF)

M Turpin (PDF)

S Wood (PDF)

Examination Documents

LPE30 Examination Stage 2 Topic Paper
LPE31 Updated Housing Trajectory (XLSX)
LPE32 Updated 5 Year Housing Land Supply (PDF)
LPE33 Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) Strategy (revised November 2022) (PDF)
LPE34 Flood Risk Sequential Test Statement (PDF)
LPE35 Air Quality Study 2 (PDF)
LPE36 Sustainability Appraisal Report Addendum
- LPE36.1 Sustainability Appraisal Report Addendum (PDF)
- LPE36.2 Sustainability Appraisal Report Addendum - Appendix A (XLSM)
- LPE36.3 Sustainability Appraisal Report Addendum - Appendix B (PDF)
- LPE36.4 Sustainability Appraisal Report Addendum - Appendix C (XLSM)
LPE37 Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Update
- LPE37.1 Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Report (PDF)
- LPE37.2 Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Policy Screening (XLXS)
LPE38 Statement of General Conformity with the London Plan (New) (PDF)
LPE39 Statement of Common Ground with the Environment Agency (New) (PDF)
LPE40 Joint Letter with Natural England (PDF)
LPE41 Joint Letter with City of London Corporation (Conservators of Epping Forest) (PDF)
LPE42 Joint Letter with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
LPE27 Statement of Common Ground with the GLA (Previously Published)

Borough-wide evidence

LPE43 The 2019 Epping Forest Visitor Report (PDF)
LPE44 Growth Capacity Study
- LPE44.1 Growth Capacity Study (2018) (also in the Evidence Base as EB6.2) (PDF)
- LPE44.2 Growth Capacity Study Full Database (2018) (XLSX)
LPE45 Character and Intensification Study (also in the Evidence Base EB2.1) (PDF)
LPE46 Skyline Study
- LPE46.1 Skyline Study November 2021: Introduction, Methodology and North Waltham Forest Sites (PDF)
- LPE46.2 Skyline Study November 2021: Central Waltham Forest Sites (PDF)
- LPE46.3 Skyline Study November 2021: South Waltham Forest Sites 1 (PDF)
- LPE46.4 Skyline Study November 2021: South Waltham Forest Sites 2 (PDF)
LPE47 Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) and Infrastructure Delivery Schedule (IDS)
- LPE47.1 Executive Summary (also Key Submission Document KD12.1) (PDF)
- LPE47.2 Part 1: Introduction and Anticipated Growth to 2035 (also Key Submission Document KD12.1) (PDF)
- LPE47.3 Part 2: Physical Infrastructure (also Key Submission Document KD12.3) (PDF)
- LPE47.4 Part 3: Social and Community Infrastructure (also Key Submission Document KD12.4) (PDF)
- LPE47.5 Part 4: Green and Blue Infrastructure (also Key Submission Document KD12.5) (PDF)
- LPE47.6 Part 5: Funding, governance and delivery and appendices (also Key Submission Document KD12.6) (PDF)
- LPE47.7 Infrastructure Delivery Schedule (also Key Submission Document KD12.7) (PDF)

Area Specific Evidence

LPE48 Leyton Leisure Centre Feasibility Study (PDF)
LPE49 Leyton Bus Depot Feasibility Study (PDF)
LPE50 Stanley Road Car Park Feasibility Study (PDF)
LPE51 Walthamstow Town Centre Development Framework Brief (PDF)
LPE52 Leyton Mills Development Framework (PDF)
LPE53 Blackhorse Lane SIL Masterplan Stage 1 (Baseline Report) (PDF)
LPE54 Blackhorse Lane SIL Masterplan Stage 2
- LPE54.1 Blackhorse Lane SIL Masterplan Stage 2: Part 1 (PDF)
- LPE54.2 Blackhorse Lane SIL Masterplan Stage 2: Part 2 (PDF)
- LPE54.3 Blackhorse Lane SIL Masterplan Stage 2: Part 3 (PDF)
LPE55 Lea Bridge Area Framework (PDF)
LPE56 Chingford Mount Town Centre Framework (PDF)
LPE57 Leytonstone Town Centre Framework (PDF)
LPE58 South Leytonstone Area Framework (PDF)
LPE59 Forest Road Area Framework (PDF)

Whipps Cross planning application and supporting evidence

LPE60 Whipps Cross Planning Application, Environmental Statement, Air Quality Chapter
- LPE60.1 Whipps Cross Air Quality Part 1 (PDF)
- LPE60.2 Whipps Cross Air Quality Part 2 (PDF)
- LPE60.3 Whipps Cross Air Quality Part 3 (PDF)
LPE61 Whipps Cross Planning Application: ES non-technical Summary (PDF)
LPE62 Whipps Cross Planning Application: Summary of Mitigation Measures and Residual Effects (PDF)
LPE63 Whipps Cross Planning Application: Minutes of meeting with Natural England (PDF)

New Statement of Common Ground with Natural England

LPE64 New Statement of Common Ground with Natural England

Website Links

External

The Conservation of Habitats and the Species Regulations (2017)

Waltham Forest

Correspondence between Council and planning inspectors

1 December 2022

Council Response 1 December 2022 (PDF)

19 October 2022

Council response 19 October 2022 (PDF)

11 October 2022

Letter from the Inspectors to the Council 11 October 2022 (PDF)

29 September 2022

Submission Letter from the Council to the Inspectors 29 September 2022 (PDF)

06 September 2022

August update letter to the Inspectors, 06 September 2022 (PDF)

Work programme update August 2022 (PDF)

29 July 2022

Update letter to the Inspectors, 29 July 2022 (PDF)

Work programme update July 2022 (PDF)

30 June 2022

Update letter to the Inspectors, 30 June 2022 (PDF)

Work programme update June 2022 (PDF)

27 May 2022

Letter from the Inspectors to the Council 27 May 2022 (PDF)

Council response 31 May 2022 (PDF)

Provisional Stage 2 Work Programme (PDF)

Local Plan post hearings letter and council response

On 5 May 2022 and as a formal part of the examination process, the Council received a post hearing letter from the Planning Inspectors setting out their initial findings and options for the progress of Local Plan part 1. The Council has submitted a written response to this letter on 11 May 2022. Copies of both letters are available below:

LP1 Post Hearings letter 5 May 2022 (PDF)

Council response to Post Hearings Letter (PDF)