Hackney,
21
January
2022
|
13:32
Europe/London

Still time to have your say on the plan for Stamford Hill

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Supply, Planning, Culture and Inclusive Economy,  on the draft Stamford Hill Plan - a new area plan to ensure development and environmental changes in one of Hackney’s fastest growing neighbourhoods benefit local people first.

Find out more and have your say now

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Supply, Planning, Culture and Inclusive Economy

Already hundreds of residents have had their say since the Council wrote to every address in Stamford Hill about the consultation on the draft plan for Stamford Hill. The response to date already demonstrates just how much passion residents have for the neighbourhood and its future.

Stamford Hill is unlike any other part of Hackney, and that’s why it needs its own dedicated area plan – to help ensure new developments, changes to existing buildings and public spaces benefit the community first, meet the different needs locally, and enhance and improve the quality of life for all residents.

The housing shortage is a critical issue for the Stamford Hill community. The proposals set out in the plan use every tool the Council has to meet this need – from identifying development sites that could accommodate the building of new homes to establishing clear requirements around the size and mix of housing and providing sensitive and well thought-through guidance on how and when homes can be altered or extended.

The draft plan also aims to balance this housing need with other needs for space in the neighbourhood. The draft plan also sets out policies to deliver much needed community facilities to meet demand, support local businesses by enhancing high streets, local centres and spaces for businesses, offer sustainable and accessible travel options, bring forward high quality public spaces, and provide greater access to green and open spaces. .

These proposals haven’t been developed overnight – they’re the result of more than five years of discussion with residents to shape the draft plan. The Stamford Hill Community Panel has played an important role in steering and developing the draft plan. The Community Panel’s membership reflects the demographic, faith and ethnic profile of Stamford Hill and is led by an independent Chair. The panel advises the Council on community engagement and has helped ensure that a range of local views have been taken into account in the draft plan and that consultation reaches out to all residents. 

All of this is informed by the views of the local community. But, with most of these discussions taking place before the coronavirus pandemic, it’s vital that we ensure they meet the needs of local residents today and continue to reflect the priorities of local people.

There is a huge amount of interest in the draft plan and its proposals, which is why the Council has updated your frequently asked questions – these set out to respond to some of the technical questions that have been raised about how the draft plan has reached this point.

However, although the Council is required by central Government to set a defined consultation period, which is set for the end of January, it is crucial that your thoughts about the draft plan are formally recorded as part of the current consultation and to help you and ensure you have enough time, your comments can be submitted through to the end of February.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Supply, Planning, Culture and Inclusive Economy