Culture and planning policy

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is set by Government.

The 2012 NPPF recognises the role that culture plays in building a strong, competitive economy as well as the role it plays in creating vibrant and healthy communities.

The 2012 and 2018 NPPF stipulates that Local Plans and planning policies should:

• set an overall strategy for the provision of cultural infrastructure by including policies, and strategic site allocations, necessary to provide it
• set criteria, or identify strategic sites, for local and inward investment to meet anticipated needs over the plan period for creative industries
• seek to address potential barriers to investment, such as inadequate infrastructure
• allow for new and flexible working practices (such as live-work accommodation)
• allocate a range of suitable sites to meet the scale and type of cultural facilities needed in town centres

The Mayor has developed the most pro-culture London Plan 2021 with additional and clarified policies for Cultural Infrastructure.

New policies include: Protecting Public Houses, Affordable Workspace, Low-cost Workspace, Agent of Change, Supporting London's Culture and Creative Industries, Heritage Conservation and Growth. He has also set out increased protections for Strategic Industrial Land.

The Mayor’s Culture and Night Time Economy SPG provides guidance on implementing draft new London Plan policies that have a bearing on London’s culture and the night time economy.

All local authorities must be in conformity with the London Plan. It is not necessary to replicate the policies. However, Local Plans can build upon these policies and create Supplementary Planning Documents.