Policy 2.16 Strategic outer London development centres

Strategic

A The Mayor will, and boroughs and other stakeholders should, identify, develop and promote strategic development centres in outer London or adjacent parts of inner London with one or more strategic economic functions of greater than sub-regional importance (see para 2.77) by:

a co-ordinating public and private infrastructure investment

b bringing forward adequate development capacity

c placing a strong emphasis on creating a distinct and attractive business offer and public realm through design and mixed use development as well as any more specialist forms of accommodation

d improving Londoners’ access to new employment opportunities.

B The Mayor will work with boroughs and other partners to develop and implement planning frameworks and/or other appropriate spatial planning and investment tools that can effect positive change to realise the potential of strategic outer London development centres.

2.77 In investigating possible sources of new economic growth or existing sources which could help achieve a step change in economic performance, the Outer London Commission highlighted business locations with specialist strengths which potentially or already function above the sub-regional level and generate growth significantly above the long term outer London trend. These are intended to complement the network of town and other centres rather than to compete with them, being identified on the basis of their distinctive function or scale. Some of these locations are technically in inner London, but have economic significance for outer areas. These include the potential centres in Table 2.1.

2.78 This list is not exhaustive. The Mayor will work with relevant stakeholders to explore the potential of these and other locations for strategically significant, specialist growth in ways which will not undermine the prospects of other business locations; will help achieve his wider objectives (including tackling congestion and carbon emissions by reducing the need for long-distance commuting) and will take account of the principles set out in policies 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8. Work is already underway on some, notably those currently identified as opportunity areas, and this policy will add a new dimension to their development. The Mayor will work with boroughs, sub-regional partnerships and other stakeholders to develop guidance on the designation and development of strategic outer London development centres, taking account of experience in taking the concept forward in the centres identified in paragraph 2.77. If necessary, alterations to this Plan will be brought forward to support the further development of this concept.

Table 2.1 Potential strategic outer London development centres