— specifically Chapter 7 “Building London’s Neighbourhoods and Communities”
http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/LP2011%20Chapter%207.pdf

So many policy points and principles to politely remind Boris of!

But a good place to begin is perhaps Policies 7.4, 7.8 and 7.9
— more readable and relevant than you might think, so why not have a look/go!

— especially if you’re looking for compelling detail, for your personalised letter to City Hall, by which to communicate a feeling or instinct that the Spitalfields Trust scheme is ‘so right’, and British Land’s so very wrong 🙂

For example… (I quote)

Policy 7.4 — LOCAL CHARACTER

Planning decisions

Buildings, streets and open spaces should provide a high quality design response that:

a) has regard to the pattern and grain of the existing spaces and streets in orientation, scale, proportion and mass
[…]
c) is human in scale, ensuring buildings create a positive relationship with street level activity and people feel comfortable with their surroundings

d) allows existing buildings and structures that make a positive contribution to the character of a place to influence the future character of the area

e) is informed by the surrounding historic environment.

___________

Policy 7.8 – HERITAGE ASSETS AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Planning decisions

C Development should identify, value, conserve, restore, re-use and incorporate heritage assets, where appropriate.

D Development affecting heritage assets and their settings should conserve their significance, by being sympathetic to their form, scale, materials and architectural detail.
___________

7.31 Crucial to the preservation of this character is the careful protection and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings and their settings. Heritage assets such as conservation areas make a significant contribution to local character and should be protected from inappropriate development that is not sympathetic in terms of scale, materials, details and form. Development that affects the setting of listed buildings or conservation areas should be of the highest quality of architecture and design, and respond positively to local context and character outlined in the policies above. […]

7.32 London’s heritage assets and historic environment also make a significant contribution to the city’s culture by providing easy access to the history of the city and its places. For example recognition and enhancement of the multicultural nature of much of London’s heritage can help to promote community cohesion. […] Every opportunity to bring the story of London to people and ensure the accessibility and good maintenance of London’s heritage should be exploited. […]

___________

Policy 7.9 — HERITAGE-LED REGENERATION

Planning decisions
B The significance of heritage assets should be assessed when development is proposed and schemes designed so that the heritage significance is recognised both in their own right and as catalysts for regeneration. Wherever possible heritage assets (including buildings at risk) should be repaired, restored and put to a suitable and viable use that is consistent with their conservation and the establishment and maintenance of sustainable communities and economic vitality.

etc, etc… &c, &c

Not forgetting the other key document in all this
— as produced by Tower Hamlets, as required by Boris’ London Plan:

*** The Elder Street Conservation Area Character Appraisal & Management Guidelines ***

I’ll leave any of you to pick and choose the pertinent points that so richly support the Spitalfields Trust scheme in all its understated glory 🙂

downloadable (2.43Mb) from here:
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/environment_and_planning/conservation/conservation_areas/character_appraisals.aspx

Sending these kind of letters really CAN help – please do write, fellow blog readers