Section A - planning
Planning is an important lever for tackling climate change. Proposed developments will often require planning permission and the presumption in favour of sustainable development has been integrated into the planning system for over a decade. Westminster has a three-tier statutory plan. This means that policies from the London Plan, or City Plan, and (depending on the location) Westminster’s made Neighbourhood Plans are used to determine whether the proposal meets the criteria and planning permission is granted.
The Mayor's London Plan, sets sustainability standards that exceed current national standards. Carbon reduction and climate resilience are embedded throughout the plan with strategic regional policies on:
- air quality
- waste and recycling
- flood risk and sustainable drainage
- green infrastructure and biodiversity
- noise, light and odour pollution
- sustainable transportation and modal shift
- energy efficiency
- low and zero carbon technologies
- sustainable design and construction
To demonstrate that a planning application has met all the criteria set out in the relevant document, supporting evidence is often required.
View the full table of information requirements
Our validation lists were updated, consulted upon and adopted in November 2021.
Following the adoption of the City Plan a suite of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) is being developed. These will provide additional guidance and standards to supplement the strategic policies in the City Plan. They will be taken into consideration in the determination of planning applications.
Please see also: