The existing Hillingdon Local Plan sets out the council’s policy approach to:
- protecting the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land
- protecting green and blue infrastructure and securing new areas of urban greening in development
- protecting open space and securing new open spaces in development
- protecting ecological sites and securing net biodiversity gain in developments
- protecting trees of value and requiring new trees in development
- protecting agricultural land, allotments and geodiversity.
Existing approach
The protection and enhancement of green infrastructure and the natural environment is important nationally, regionally and locally. The existing Local Plan affords significant protection to the existing green infrastructure network and natural environment. Key policies include:
- Policy DMEI 1 requires all major development proposals are required to incorporate living roofs or walls into the development unless there is suitable justification
- Policy DMEI 4 protects against inappropriate development in the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land, unless very special circumstances apply
- Policy DMEI 5 sets out that development in Green Chains, which provide physical links between wildlife and recreation sites in the borough, are only supported if they conserve and enhance the visual amenity and nature conservation value of the landscape
- Policy DMEI 6 seeks that development at Green Edge locations (adjacent to the Green Belt, MOL, Green Chains, SINCs, nature reserves, countryside, green spaces or the Blue Ribbon Network) is landscaped to assimilate into the surrounding area
- Policy DMEI 7 protects and enhances biodiversity value in development
- Policy DMEI 8 sets out a range of measures to protect watercourses by controlling waterside development
- Policy DMEI 10 requires development to control water run-off, including incorporating Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
- Policy DMHB 11 requires that development is of the highest standards of design including landscaping and tree planning to enhance amenity, biodiversity and green infrastructure.
Key challenges
Key challenges for the new Local Plan are thought to include:
- national policy on the development of Green Belt has been significantly reformed, with more changes planned during 2026. The NPPF provides a wider range of circumstances where Green Belt may be developed, including the introduction of ‘Grey Belt’ land. The Local Plan will have to respond to this new framework for development with a strategic plan-led approach to development in the Green Belt. This should include identifying appropriate locations for Green Belt release for development in sustainable locations and identifying Green Belt land for protection or redesignation as Metropolitan Open Land and Local Green Space
- air quality has improved significantly over the last few decades, however Hillingdon’s air still does not meet WHO guidelines for some pollutants. Water quality too needs to be improved. Green infrastructure can play an important role in filtering pollutants from the air and ground
- green infrastructure and the natural environment are valuable in storing carbon, cooling the climate and filtering the air and water. A key challenge is building for a growing population whilst also improving on the network of green infrastructure, including through urban greening
- health issues such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease, which can be significantly influenced by lifestyle and the environment, are prevalent in the borough. Spaces for physical activity and relaxation are not spread equally around the borough, with some areas deficient in these types of spaces
- access to nature and open space is unequal in the borough, with some areas enjoying good access while others are deficient. There is a need to improve the quality of and access to open spaces, rivers and canals for all groups of people in the community
- biodiversity may suffer because of urban activity, climate change, and new development if left unmitigated. The Council needs to meet the needs of a growing population whilst protecting wildlife habitats and enhancing biodiversity
- recognising existing geodiversity within the borough and ensuring planning decisions protect and enhance this
- ensuring the number and quality of trees in the borough increases to increase the extend of London’s urban forest
- exploring the viability and need for greater food production in the Borough
- there is significant pressure on water resources which will increase as the population grows.
What the new Local Plan could achieve
A key commitment from the council strategy is for a green and sustainable borough, where Hillingdon will be a sustainable, carbon-neutral borough, protecting Hillingdon's heritage, built environment and valued green spaces.
Green infrastructure is instrumental in tackling the effects of climate change, providing habitat for biodiversity, and improving health and mental wellbeing. The Local Plan could:
- provide a bold new vision to permanently protect Hillingdon’s network of parks, rivers and green open spaces, including designating areas as Metropolitan Open Land or Local Green Space
- integrate biodiversity and nature recovery throughout the plan, from the spatial strategy to requirements for development, including:
- protecting areas of existing biodiversity value including Sites In Nature Conservation
- seeking the maximum practical provision of green infrastructure from new development
- protect trees and require new development to provide new trees
- reducing water run-off from developments by requiring Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) to tackle flooding and climate change impacts.