Policy and guidance summary
This checklist is grounded in key policies and guidance that emphasise the importance of inclusive and participatory engagement in the planning process.
At the national level, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024 strongly encourages early and meaningful engagement with local communities. Key sections, including paragraphs 40, 41, 131, 137, and 138, highlight the need for inclusive consultation. The Planning Practice Guidance expands on these principles, offering a framework for effective and inclusive community engagement on design. Additionally, the National Model Design Code provides detailed guidance in its appendix, focusing on how inclusive engagement practices should be implemented.
Locally, the Lambeth Statement of Community Involvement outlines borough-specific guidance on participatory engagement. While much of this document focuses on the council’s responsibilities, it also provides valuable direction for developers. This is complemented by policies within the London Plan and Lambeth Local Plan, which collectively advocate for inclusive, community-centred planning and design. Inclusive Design Statements are a requirement for submission on the Lambeth Local List for certain applications.
The London Plan emphasises inclusivity through several key policies. Policy GG1, "Building Strong and Inclusive Communities," advocates for early and inclusive engagement with stakeholders, ensuring environments where all Londoners can move, interact, and thrive with dignity. Policy D5, "Inclusive Design," requires development proposals to meet high standards of accessibility and inclusion, documented through comprehensive inclusive design statements within Design and Access Statements. Policy S4, "Play and Informal Recreation," stresses the importance of consulting children, young people, and parents to create spaces that cater to diverse needs, with particular attention to proper management and inclusivity.
The Lambeth Local Plan further reinforces these principles. Policy Q1 "Inclusive Environments" mandates that new developments comply with best practices and demonstrate how proposals achieve inclusive design. This includes promoting child-friendly housing and environments as a fundamental design principle.
Developers are expected to deliver several key outputs under these policies. Early and inclusive engagement with local communities is essential, ensuring that marginalised groups are involved in shaping proposals that reflect their needs and aspirations. Inclusive design statements are required, detailing the application of best practices, consultation outcomes, and considerations for protected groups. Designs must prioritise accessibility and inclusivity, catering to children, young people, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, community and stakeholder consultations should be well-documented, highlighting input from children, parents, carers, and equality groups to inform the design and management strategies of communal spaces.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has developed several key documents that provide guidance on supporting inclusion through participatory engagement. "Safety in Public Space – Women, Girls and Gender Diverse People" focuses on promoting safety and inclusion for these groups, with relevant insights in the ‘project setup’ and ‘understanding’ sections. Similarly, "Making London Child-friendly" centres on children and young people, emphasising the importance of participatory engagement, particularly in the ‘participation’ section. Both documents share overlapping principles of inclusive engagement that can inform broader practices. Additionally, the GLA is developing the "Access, Equalities, and Inclusion LPG" as an update to the Accessible London LPG, further enhancing guidance on creating inclusive environments.