Social infrastructure

The existing Hillingdon Local Plan sets out the council’s policy approach to: 

  • developing, retaining and enhancing important social infrastructure
  • protecting public and private open space
  • providing new open spaces and play spaces in major developments
  • protection and provision of leisure and indoor sports facilities
  • protection and provision of play spaces.

Existing approach  

Community facilities, culture and leisure is a key priority in the existing Local Plan. Key policies include: 

  • Policy DMCI 1 protects existing community facilities from redevelopment unless the use or site is no longer needed
  • Policy DMCI 1A supports the development of new schools subject to their impacts including on open space, character, accessibility and the environment
  • Policy DMCI 2 supports development of community infrastructure where it is close to the community it supports, is accessible and inclusive and directs large uses to Town Centres
  • Policy DMCI 3 protects public open space from development and sets the rules for development next to open spaces
  • Policy DMCI 4 requires major new residential development to provide or enhance open space
  • Policy DMCI 5 requires major housing developments to provide children’s play areas.

Key challenges 

Key challenges for the new Local Plan are thought to include:  

  • ensuring the social infrastructure needs of the borough are considered when meeting growth targets and working with infrastructure providers to meet any new needs
  • ensuring that delivery mechanisms for social infrastructure are effective
  • maximising social infrastructure by allowing new models of public and community provision and co-location
  • Hillingdon is home to many valued sports and leisure facilities, including playing fields. These types of uses and spaces are often under pressure and can be at risk of redevelopment for higher value uses, in particular housing
  • the borough is home to educational facilities including Brunel University of London, Uxbridge College and Buckinghamshire New University. The plan should protect these uses and facilitate their economic potential in clustering knowledge economy uses
  • the borough has a large amount of highly valued parks and opens spaces, covering approximately 1,800 acres. These spaces need to be protected and enhanced while ensuring development helps improve open space provision and biodiversity value
  • improving health is a key priority – and the plan should help promote active and healthy lifestyles through provision of community facilities, quality accessible open space and a range of sports facilities and play spaces
  • the new Local Plan will need to reflect the limitations of the new Use Class Order and permitted development rights, which makes protection of certain types of infrastructure less achievable through the planning system.

What the new Local Plan could achieve  

The council strategy set ambitions for residents including that they: 

  • live active and healthy lives 
  • enjoy access to green spaces, leisure activities, culture and arts
  • achieve well in education, with opportunities for learning at all ages.

The Local Plan will need to promote social interaction and enable and support healthy lifestyles in line with national policy and the London Plan.  

The Local Plan will also need to protect and enhance existing social infrastructure within the borough to develop inclusive and strong communities which brings people together and provides opportunities for social, educational, health, recreational and cultural activities

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