Objectives and vision

As part of the evidence gathering stage, the council has prepared the following challenges for the Local Plan. We welcome your views on whether these challenges should be inform the draft Local Plan.

Climate change 

In 2020, the council declared a climate emergency and committed to be carbon neutral by 2030. In 2021 the council adopted the Strategic Climate Action Plan, which sets a vision for Hillingdon to become the greenest London borough, to protect and enhance the environment, and to provide a brighter prospect for future generations. There is a need to create greater resilience to the effects of climate change, including flood risk and excessive heat.

A growing population 

Hillingdon’s population is growing at a higher rate than the London average. Between 2011 and 2021, the population of Hillingdon increased by 11.7%, from just over 273,900 to around 305,900 (Census 2023). That was a greater increase than London (7.7%) and the overall population of England (6.6%). The growing population demands more homes, jobs, infrastructure, and needs for services and leisure.

A shortage of housing

The cost of housing in Hillingdon is high and increasing, and there are more than 3,400 households on the social housing register. The ratio of median earnings to house prices in Hillingdon is 11.95 which is significantly higher than the England average at 7.8. The London Plan 2021 sets a housing target of 1,083 homes per year and a strategic target for 50 per cent of all new homes to be genuinely affordable. The Government has committed to a very ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes during this parliament. This means Hillingdon’s housing target is likely to increase significantly when a new London Plan is published.

Economic disparities

Hillingdon has a large economy, with over 14,300 businesses supporting approximately 203,000 jobs. This is significantly more than neighbouring local authorities, and Hillingdon has more jobs than working age residents. However, 11% of Hillingdon are income deprived and there are areas of deprivation, particularly across the south of the borough, with localities among the 20% most income deprived in the England. There is a significant opportunity to get the economy working for the most income deprived.

Health and wellbeing

As with the UK, Hillingdon has an aging population with health and wellbeing needs are growing increasingly complex. 28% of adults in Hillingdon live with excess weight which contributes to serious health outcomes and there is a need to tackle childhood obesity to establish healthy habits and lifestyles over the long term. There is also a pressing need to improve mental health and reduce social isolation. There is significant health inequality within the borough with life expectancy lower in deprived areas particularly in the south of the borough. The health and wellbeing strategy priorities include supporting children and young people, tackling inequality, preventing long term health conditions including dementia and heart disease, supporting people to live well, independently, and longer, improving mental health services. 

Transport

Public transport accessibility varies across the borough, however large areas have relatively low levels. A high proportion of Hillingdon’s residents travel by private car, significantly higher than the Outer London average. There is significant congestion during peak times on the Strategic Road Network, with some of the busiest sections in the country. There are also significant opportunities to improve cycle infrastructure in the borough.

Central and southern Hillingdon are well served by the public transport services in comparison to the north, which is less densely built up and the sparse distribution of facilities and services leads to longer trip lengths. There is an opportunity to further improve north to south orbital connections.

Air quality

Air pollution is associated with adverse health impacts and is linked to the major health challenges. The southern two thirds of Hillingdon is within an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for levels of for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) above legal limits. There are also 10 Air Quality Focus Areas (AQFA) in Hillingdon, which are locations that exceed the EU annual mean limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and have high level of human exposure.

Protecting open spaces and nature

Hillingdon is the second largest of London’s 32 boroughs over half of which is a mosaic of countryside including canals, rivers, parks and woodland. Hillingdon has 4,870 hectares of Green Belt which comprises 42% of the borough. Hillingdon also has Metropolitan Open Land, Green Chains, playing fields, and river and canal corridors. The Colne Valley Regional Park stretches north to south along the western edge of the borough. Biodiversity is under threat and there is an urgent need to reverse loss of flora and fauna. The government have changed national planning policy on protection of Green Belt to unlock development. The Local Plan needs to ensure strong protection for the Green Belt and take an evidence based and plan led approach.

Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport is Europe’s busiest airport. The airport is essential national infrastructure and plays an important role in the economy of Hillingdon, London and the nation. The airport is the largest single site employer in the country and supports over 75,000 jobs on site and 40,000 more through its supply chain. However, areas around Heathrow airport are some of the most deprived in London indicating that not all the economic benefits are reaching the local areas. Heathrow Airport is a major source of adverse air quality in the borough through aviation activities and associated infrastructure and transport. In January 2025 the government said it would support proposals for a third runway at Heathrow airport.