Written Statement of the 2005 UDP (Pdf, 2577KB)
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IMPORTANT NOTE: The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) is gradually being replaced by the Local Development Framework. Check the planning policy pages on the Council’s website (http://www.richmond.gov.uk/planning_guidance_and_policies.htm) for details of when policies and proposal sites have been superseded. This copy of the original UDP First Review 2005 replicates the text of the written statement for information (issued February 2012). Images and maps are not included. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Planning Policy and Design: 2nd Floor Civic Centre, York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ Telephone: 020 8891 7117 Email: [email protected] LONDON BOROUGH OF RICHMOND UPON THAMES UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN: FIRST REVIEW Adopted 1 March 2005 WRITTEN STATEMENT Prepared in accordance with section 13 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 27 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 FOREWORD The Unitary Development Plan First Review is the land use plan for the Borough, and seeks, through its policies and proposals, to guide development, as well as to protect and enhance the Borough’s special environment, for present and future generations. The Plan is set in the context of national and regional planning guidance, but the policies are tailored for this Borough’s unique environment, characterised by its well- loved Royal Parks large open spaces, many historic buildings and conservation areas, attractive town centres and residential areas and extensive River Thames frontage. New developments must recognise and enhance this special character. A key initiative of the Council is its Civic Pride programme, which is intended to make Richmond upon Thames the safest, cleanest and greenest Borough in London. The Unitary Development Plan Review has a key role in relation to the “Civic Guardian” role and particularly in ensuring there are rigorous policies to protect and enhance our natural and built heritage. The Council also takes a lead in reinforcing community life both as a provider of services and through initiatives with other partners for example for health, safety, education and community care. The Plan contributes to this by ensuring that provision is made locally for shops, employment, education and community facilities as well as for housing, including affordable housing. Locally provided facilities should reinforce community life and reduce the need to travel. The Plan also seeks to improve provision to enhance transport choice, reduce congestion and improve road safety. This Plan takes account of operational experience of the original Unitary Development Plan (adopted in 1996) and the extensive comments from residents, businesses and other organisations at various consultation stages, including two Public Inquiries in 2000 and 2003. I am very grateful for this input to the Plan The Unitary Development Plan Review will remain in force until the adoption of the new style Local Development Framework which is programmed for adoption in 2008. I commend this Plan to all those who live, work and visit our Borough, Councillor David Marlow ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copy of 2005 UDP Written Statement for information Check http://www.richmond.gov.uk/planning_guidance_and_policies.htm for details of when policies and proposal sites have been superseded 1 INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE PLAN 1.1 The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) has been prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. 1.2 The Plan sets out the Council's proposals for the development and other use of land including measures for the improvement of the physical environment, the conservation of natural beauty and amenity of land, and the management of traffic over the next ten years or so. Although the Council considers the Plan to be realistic there can be no guarantee that all the proposals in it will be implemented, because as the resource context section (Chapter 2, paras 2.21-2.30) makes clear, this will be primarily dependent upon private sector finance. Equally, changes in planning policy context, or population levels or economic trends may call for alterations. The Plan only covers town planning matters and does not attempt to cover all other aspects of the Council's work. The Council's town planning decisions including those on planning applications will be made in accordance with the Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. It will also assist the Council in establishing needs and provide flexibility in determining priorities for action. STAGES IN PRODUCING THE REVIEW 1.3 The main stages in the review of the Plan were as follows: • a Monitoring Report on the performance of the adopted Plan in April, 1997; • consultation with local organisations over priorities for the review (April-May, 1997); • consultation with local and other organisations in relation to key issues (March-April, 1998); • agreement of the deposit version of the Plan (May 1999) • 1st public inquiry completed 8th November 2000 • proposed modifications and consultations, December 2002, April 2003, August 2003 • 2nd public inquiry, July 2003, October 2003 and December 2003 • 2nd Inquiry Inspector’s report March 2004 • Post Inquiry modifications and consultations, June 2004, September 2004 and December 2004 • UDP agreed at Full Council 11th March 2005. FORM AND CONTENT OF THE PLAN 1.4 The Plan consists of two parts. Part I is a written statement concentrating on major policies important for the whole Borough. Part II contains a written statement of the Council's detailed proposals and policies for the development and use of land and their reasoned justification. These proposals are in general conformity with the broader policies of Part I. The policies in Part 1 are applicable for up to 15 years. The policies in Part 2 are applicable for 10 years. 1.5 Part II also includes the proposals map which identifies precisely the sites or areas affected by the policies and proposals and is cross-referenced to the written statement. 1.6 In the event of apparent conflict between the proposals map and the written statement, the ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copy of 2005 UDP Written Statement for information Check http://www.richmond.gov.uk/planning_guidance_and_policies.htm for details of when policies and proposal sites have been superseded provisions of the written statement take precedence. SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE 1.7 Supplementary planning guidance will be produced from time to time to elaborate on various aspects of policy. It will generally be produced in consultation with the public and will be Council policy, but it will not form part of the statutory Plan. (See Chapter 6) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copy of 2005 UDP Written Statement for information Check http://www.richmond.gov.uk/planning_guidance_and_policies.htm for details of when policies and proposal sites have been superseded 2 FRAMEWORK FOR PLAN POLICIES 2.1 Part I of the Plan must have regard to current national and regional planning policies and Strategic Planning Guidance for London (RPG 3 1996). Although this Plan was largely completed before the production of the Draft London Plan (SDS), which currently is in draft form (June 2002), it does take into account earlier policy development by the London Planning Advisory Committee. Other more local factors have also been taken into account, in particular social and economic trends, views of local residents, the availability of resources, and the overall strategy of the Council. This chapter considers the policy context within which the Plan has been developed, and its underlying principles. POLICY CONTEXT NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY 2.2 Planning Policy Guidance Note 1: General Policy and Principles (PPG1 1997) sets out the Government’s priority for sustainable development. It reaffirms the role of the planning system in meeting the needs of the economy and protecting the natural and built environment. It promotes mixed-use development and high quality design. Where appropriate, relevant legislation or statutory instruments are referred to in relation to specific policies, and national policy guidance in the form of Planning Policy Guidance Notes are summarised in the relevant chapters of the Plan. The Government’s document ‘A better quality of life: A strategy for Sustainable Development in the United Kingdom’ (1999), includes the widely-used international definition of sustainable development as ‘development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. It identifies four objectives: (i) social progress that meets the needs of everyone; (ii) effective protection of the environment; (iii) prudent use of natural resources; (iv) maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment. REGIONAL PLANNING POLICY 2.3 Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG 9 2001) was issued after the main stages in Plan preparation, however the draft Guidance issued in 1999 was taken into account in the preparation