Response to BTA letter to Ken Livingstone from Greater London Authority – 19 th April 2004

[Read the BTA letter to Ken Livingstone...]

Dear Mr Chisnell

In your letter of 06/04/04 you express concern over the capacity of the Mayor’s to ensure sufficient emphasis is placed on the provision of public toilets. The London Plan (LP) has several policies and enhancement of social infrastructure.

More specifically the detail contained within Policy 3A.15 Protection and enhancement of social infrastructure and community facilities which states that “UDP policies should assess the need for social infrastructure and community facilities in their area, including children’s play and recreation facilities, services for young people, older people and disabled people, as well as libraries, community halls, meeting rooms, places of worship and public toilets. Adequate provision for these facilities is particularly important in major areas of new development and regeneration. Policies should seek to ensure that appropriate facilities are provided within easy reach by walking and public transport of the population that use them. The net loss of such facilities should be resisted.”

Supplementary Planning Guidance accompanies the LP and within Accessible London achieving an Inclusive environment there is an implementation point which provides additional guidance to Policy 3A.15. Implementation point 18 states “ To address the shortage of accessible public toilet facilities in London, the Mayor will and boroughs should seeks to ensure that proposals for retail, leisure, cultural, sport and community facilities provide suitable public toilets for all the community. Boroughs should also make an assessment of provision in public areas and give consideration to addressing shortfalls.”

The LP does not stand alone in guiding the deliverance of such facilities. We are working closely with the boroughs to ensure when developing their Unitary Development Plan (UDP) that the policies contained within them are in general conformity with the London Plan policies. The London Plan was formally adopted as a statutory spatial planning document on 10 th February 2004. In your letter you express concern over the lack of consistency, across London, in the provision of public toilets. The Mayor’s role in responding to UDPs, is to ensure a level of consistency is reached. It is this influence which will lead to a more equitable provision of social infrastructure.

The London Plan is a strategic document that approaches the delivery of services at a London wide level. The Mayor strongly supports the retention and expansion of existing social infrastructure whilst providing opportunities for new facilities, but this will only be sustainable if carried out in conjunction with all the London boroughs. As your letter mentions the Mayor has been responsible for supporting the installation of public toilet facilities at Trafalgar Square. With regard to the request for public toilet provision for all users of the London Underground this is a matter for Transport for London (TfL) to respond to.

Furthermore I am responding to you on behalf of the Mayor as the London Plan policy lead on social issues. The Mayor receives a considerable number of requests on such issues and unfortunately does not have time to respond individually to each matter. If you require further information please contact me directly.

Yours sincerely

Anna Hamilos
Strategic Planner

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