Local Plan Direction of Travel Consultation

Overview

It is less than two years since the Council adopted the present Local Plan, but much has happened since. In response to the accelerating pace of climate change the Council has adopted a Climate Emergency Strategy with a range of actions, some of which have a direct bearing on Local Plan policies.

There has also been a revision of the National Planning Policy Framework and a new London Plan is in its final stages before adoption with, amongst other things, increased housing targets albeit not at the unrealistic levels first mooted. Within those targets the achievement of the desired proportion of affordable accommodation remains elusive.

Another major issue is that although our town centres have so far proved more resilient than most to changes in shopping habits, we need to consider whether greater policy flexibility is desirable.

These and many other issues are set out in this Direction of Travel document. We are anxious to have the views upon it of our residents and those who work or study in the borough.

Councillor Martin Elengorn

Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee

What is a Local Plan?

We are now starting to prepare a new Local Plan for Richmond borough. This consultation document sets out our initial thoughts about what the scope of the new Plan should be and the planning issues that should be addressed.

The Local Plan is the key planning document for the borough. It will set out policies and guidance to shape our places, plan and manage growth and guide development across the borough over a 15-year period. We will use the Local Plan to guide our decisions on the location, amount and type of development the borough needs to accommodate growth. It will also set out which places will be protected, and which places will change. Ultimately, the Local Plan will be the main document against which we assess planning applications.

Why do we want to hear from you?

This Direction of Travel document is the first stage in our engagement process with residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

We want to hear your views as to how the borough should accommodate growth and what our future strategic vision should be for the borough. The borough is facing a number of key challenges, opportunities and critical planning issues. This document sets out what we think they are, and how they could be included in a new Local Plan. Please tell us if you agree, or if we have missed any opportunities or issues you think need to be addressed in the new Local Plan.

Why do we need a new Local Plan?

In the last two years there have been changes to national planning policy and the new London Plan is in its final stages before adoption and will affect housing targets. The Council has adopted a Climate Emergency Strategy with a range of actions some of which have a direct bearing on Local Plan policies, as will other changes to the environment and economy.

Have your say

The Local Plan Direction of Travel consultation document can be viewed below:

The document can also be viewed at any borough library or at the Civic Centre in Twickenham.

Please give us your views on the consultation document by:

• Completing the online questionnaire below, or
• By email to LocalPlan@richmond.gov.uk, or
• By post to Policy and Design, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ

Any comments should be received by the Council no later than Sunday 5 April. If you need a copy of the questionnaire in hard copy or any other format, please contact us.

Please note that your response will not be treated as confidential and any anonymous responses will be discarded. A summary of the responses will be made available following the consultation period. These responses will be fully considered and taken account of when preparing the Local Plan. 

There will also be further engagement opportunities to let us know your views later in 2020.

Related consultations

Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (February 2020)

The purpose of Sustainability Appraisal is to consider the likely social, environmental and economic impacts of the emerging plan, and it also incorporates the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). As part of the preparation of a new Local Plan, the Council has reviewed and updated its Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report, which identifies the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the Sustainability Appraisal. The Council is seeking views on the draft report from the three statutory consultees with environmental responsibilities in England (i.e. Historic England, Natural England, and the Environment Agency). Other relevant stakeholders with a sustainability remit or a local interest are also able to review the report and submit representations here.

Call for Sites

The Council is required by Government guidance to issue a call for sites and broad locations for development as part of the preparation of the new Local Plan. This is to identify as many potential opportunities as possible, aimed at as wide an audience as possible so that those not normally involved in property development have the opportunity to contribute. There is a call for sites and broad locations alongside this consultation, so that we will have a better understanding, at this early stage in preparing the Plan, what land may become available during the Local Plan period and understanding of deliverability. Please note that the ‘call for sites’ exercise does not mean that the Council will have to allocate the suggested sites for development, but the Council will be able to assess from a potentially large number of sites their suitability, availability and deliverability.

You (individuals, landowners, developers, businesses, local groups) are invited to put forward sites for consideration here.

What happens next

We are required to follow statutory processes when developing a Local Plan.

The stages in the preparation of a new Richmond Local Plan are set out below:

The new Local Plan is anticipated to be adopted in 2024, at which point it will supersede the existing Local Plan (2018) and the Twickenham Area Action Plan (2013).  The West London Waste Plan (2015) and the Ham & Petersham Neighbourhood Plan (2019) will not be superseded by the new Local Plan.