399 Edgware

Sound planning policies and effective development control are dependent on a good understanding of the context in which individual proposals will be considered. This context includes the statutory framework, national policies and local influences.

There are clear policy expectations. The new PPS1 has put crime prevention at the heart of the planning process. Other PPGs underline the importance of designing out crime and designing in community safety. For example, PPG3 (Housing), PPG6 (Town centres and retail developments), PPG13 (Transport) and PPG17 (Open space, sport and recreation).

Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places a duty on each local authority to:

“without prejudice to any other obligation imposed upon it… to exercise its functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those functions on, and the need to do all that it reasonably can to prevent, crime and disorder in its area.�

Local planning authorities must therefore consider the likely effect on crime and disorder in their area when drawing up their planning policies, determining planning applications and discharging other planning responsibilities.

At the local level, a number of influences help establish the context. These can include:

• Community strategies (under the Local Government Act 2000);

• Crime and disorder reduction strategies, prepared by the crime and disorder reduction partnerships (under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998);

• Local transport plans (under the Transport Act 2000, including Accessibility planning); and

• Housing strategies

Many local drivers to reduce crime and promote community safety are rooted in area regeneration initiatives. Planning policy, and delivery, must be open to influence by, as well as looking to shape, regeneration programmes to ensure cross-sectoral integration. The aim always is well-designed, sustainable developments where communities can prosper.