Draft Local Views Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Overview

What this consultation is about

This consultation seeks views on whether the descriptions and supporting detail for each designated local view accurately capture their historic and environmental importance, and whether any amendments or additional information should be included.

Background

Following the adoption of the Local Plan in October 2025, the views shown on the Policies Map were formally adopted. These include a number of new local views, alongside many views that were previously designated through earlier adopted plans.

As additional views were included and further refinements have been made to the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), the Council has decided to undertake a further consultation on the revised draft Local Views SPD. The previous consultation on the draft SPD took place in 2022, and the Council’s Response Analysis to the comments received has now been published.

This consultation represents the next step in finalising the Local Views SPD. The draft SPD identifies each view using a photograph and map to locate the view, alongside a detailed written description. The Local Views SPD provides guidance to support the implementation of Local Plan policies and will be used in the assessment of relevant planning applications. It is intended to guide development proposals that may affect these views, enabling planning applicants to address them within a Townscape and Visual Appraisal as part of the planning application process.

The Council is keen to work with key stakeholders and to hear from anyone with an interest, to help ensure that the information included in the SPD is accurate, clear and appropriately detailed.

Consultation

We would like to hear views on whether each view description and its associated detail captures the main features of historic and environmental importance. We are also interested in whether any details should be amended, or if there is additional information that should be included.

When responding, you may wish to consider:

• Whether the description clearly explains why the view is important
• Whether any key features, landmarks or characteristics are missing
• Whether the level of detail provided is appropriate and proportionate

Any part of the SPD can be commented on. However, the SPD cannot be used to alter the views themselves as shown on the adopted Local Plan Policies Map. The photographs and mapping included in the SPD are intended to illustrate the views, but may not capture every aspect, particularly where views are expansive or unfold over distance.

You can view the boroughwide map or the Policies Map to see all of the designated views.

For more information please visit our Draft Supplementary Planning Document page.

How to get involved

We want to get your opinions on the local views. Please follow the 'Online Survey' link below and read the instructions before completing the survey.

Alternatively, give us your feedback either by email or letter: 

• By email to LocalPlan@richmond.gov.uk
• By post to Spatial Planning and Design, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ

If your feedback relates to a specific part of the document, please make sure it is clear which part, along with any changes you feel should be made.

Please note that your response will not be treated as confidential and any anonymous responses will not be accepted.  

What happens next

A summary of the responses to the consultation will be made available following the consultation period. These responses will be fully considered and if appropriate, changes will be made to the final version of the document prior to its adoption by the Council, which is intended to be later in 2026.