Comments made by local people and developers have influenced a major new plan which will help shape the future of Westminster and was ratified by full council last night (27 January 2010).

The 20 year plan will look at a range of diverse issues including affordable housing, sustainable design and protecting the city's rich architectural heritage.

As part of the final stage of consultation the public were asked for their views on the Core Strategy which will determine how regeneration takes place in the city, how the council supports local businesses which create jobs for local people, as well as how more affordable housing can be created in Westminster.

When the Local Development Framework is complete, it will be used to manage development across Westminster and help the council deliver its promise of making Westminster "a living city" - where families can thrive in the heart of London, and businesses flourish.

Cllr Robert Davis, Westminster City Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Built Environment, said:"Well thought out buildings lie at the heart of civic life and add to our city. I firmly believe new developments should be places where people want to live, work, bring up their children and relax."

Rosemarie MacQueen, Strategic Director for the Built Environment, added: "The Core Strategy provides a clear vision of Westminster’s future, where opportunity, improvement and carefully managed growth and change will ensure we leave a sustainable legacy to our future generations."

The Core Strategy seeks to recognise the unique contribution of Westminster to London’s World City status, responding to the opportunities and challenges which future generations will face, and further improve the qualities of Westminster’s neighbourhoods.

Issues such as balancing the diverse needs of over 230,000 residents, over 40,000 businesses and half a million employees, whilst ensuring the city remains an international centre for tourism, arts, culture and leisure, are all addressed in the strategy.

It will help manage the pressures the city faces in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as encouraging regeneration and investment in some of the area's key shopping streets by setting a higher threshold for any retail developers before they need to provide residential properties

For local people the key areas of interest include:

- raising the bar for design across Westminster by encouraging new sustainable and inclusive design.

- seeking more affordable housing by setting a 1,000 sqm additional floorspace threshold as well as a 10 or more unit threshold to trigger affordable housing.

- protecting more areas of special quality by designating two new Special Policy Areas - St James's and Savile Row.

- supporting the wider regeneration of the north west of the City

For the property industry and developers key areas of note include:

- recognising the positive benefits of offices within the Central Activities Zone and Opportunity Areas

- amending our mixed use policy to set a higher threshold (400 sqm or more instead of 200 sqm) for retail increases before residential is required - in order to encourage investment and regeneration of our key shopping streets

- providing a policy framework that gives certainty but also allows flexibility when necessary

- Managing the pressures the city faces in the lead up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games and seeking a lasting legacy.

ENDS

Notes to editors;

For more about the Core Strategy please visit: www.westminster.gov.uk/ldf/publication-draft

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