EAST TWICKENHAM Draft Supplementary Planning Document I October 2015 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Planning Policy and Wider Context 6 3. Spatial Context 9 4. Vision for East Twickenham 14 5. Objectives 14 6. Character Area Assessments 15 ■ Character Area 1: Park House Gardens and surrounds 16 ■ Conservation Area 2: Twickenham Park 20 ■ Conservation Area 3: Beresford Avenue 22 ■ Conservation Area 4: Richmond Road 24 ■ Character Area 5: South of Richmond Bridge 26 ■ Character Area 6: Cambridge Park 30 ■ Character Area 7: Richmond Road opposite Marble Hill Park 34 ■ Character Area 8: St Margarets Road 36 ■ Conservation Area 9: Richmond Hill (East Twickenham side) 38 ■ Conservation Area 10: Richmond Riverside (East Twickenham side) 40 7. Features and Materials 42 8. Guidance for Development Sites 50 9. Shop Front Guidance 52 10. Forecourt Parking 56 Appendix 1: Relevant Policies and Guidance 58 1. Introduction The purpose of this Village Planning Guidance Supplementary Planning The London Borough of Richmond Document (SPD) is primarily to establish upon Thames has been divided into a vision and planning policy aims for, a series of smaller village areas. and assist in defining, maintaining Each village is distinctive in terms of and enhancing the character of, East the community, facilities and local character – as are many sub areas Twickenham, and to provide guidance in within the villages. this regard. The SPD forms part of the wider Village Plan. The villages of the London Borough Richmond upon Thames are By identifying key features of the village, attractive with many listed buildings the SPD clarifies the most important and conservation areas, the local aspects and features that contribute to character of each being unique, local character to guide those seeking recognisable and important to the to make changes to their properties or community and to the aesthetic of to develop new properties in the area, as the borough as a whole. well as being a material consideration in determining planning applications. The core of this SPD is a series of character area assessments for the component areas of East Twickenham. These character areas have been identified through the similarity of key features that are deemed to define their individual local character. The assessments establish dominant features and materials as well as an overall description of the street pattern and housing types. 4 The boundary for the SPD is based on: Wider Context (Village Plans) ■ a review of how each area’s design Village Plans have been developed for each characteristics can best be grouped; of Richmond’s 14 villages. Each Village Plan ■ taking account of physical and describes a vision for the village area and administrative boundaries, including identifies what the Council will do and conservation area boundaries to avoid what local people can do to achieve the these being split between village areas; vision together. It sets out the key issues and and priorities and provides background ■ how local communities viewed their local information on the village area. The Village areas when asked through the Council’s Plans are maintained on the Council’s website and are updated as works are 2010 ‘All-In-One’ survey and subsequent Resident walkabout consultations. progressed. They cover a wide range of topics, including matters not within the This SPD has been produced by the Council remit of the SPD. working closely with the community. This has ensured that local residents, businesses This Village Planning Guidance SPD forms and stakeholders have been genuinely part of the Village Plan by providing a involved in defining the important features formal planning policy document which – as well as the opportunities and threats – can be used to guide new development that define their local area. that has responded to resident’s desire to The community was initially involved have greater control and influence over through: planning and development decisions in their local area. The involvement of the local ■ ‘Drop in sessions’ held at Twickenham community in the production of the SPD Drop in event Studios on the 16th May 2015 has been essential in ensuring it is a genuine reflection of residents’ priorities. ■ A resident walkabout held on the 17th May 2015 ■ Online questionnaire consultation (from 15th May and 29th June 2015) 5 2. Planning Policy and Wider Context 2.1 Planning Policy Framework Development Plan Documents. The A larger site in East Twickenham has boroughs must define the boundaries been identified through consultations National Planning Policy by taking into account proximity to the undertaken by the Council. This has The National Planning Policy Framework Thames, contiguous areas with clear been assessed in Chapter 8 of this (NPPF) set out the Government’s visual links between areas and buildings document to establish design objectives planning policies for England and how and the river and specific geographical should it come forward for development. these are expected to be applied. The features, areas and buildings which relate Up-to-date information on the Council’s NPPF is a key part of the Government’s or link to the Thames. The River Thames Local Plan can be viewed at http:// reforms to make the planning system section of East Twickenham is designated www.richmond. gov.uk/home/services/ less complex and more accessible. The in the Thames Policy Area in the London planning/planning_ policy/local_plan.htm. NPPF provides the context for local Plan. planning authorities and decision takers, Local Planning Policy 2.2 Key Planning Policies both when drawing up plans and making decisions about planning applications. The London Borough of Richmond upon SPDs cannot create new policies but It must be taken into account in the Thames current statutory planning policy expand on policies set out in higher preparation of local and neighbourhood framework is set out in adopted Plans plans, notably the Core Strategy (CS) plans, and is a material consideration in including the Core Strategy, adopted and the Development Management planning decisions. in April 2009, and the Development Plan (DMP). This SPD relates to a Management Plan, adopted in November considerable number of higher policies, Regional Planning Policy 2011. There is an online proposals notably: At a regional level, the London Plan FALP map and a range of guidance provided DMP Policy DM DC 1 Design Quality (adopted in 2015) is the overall strategic through Supplementary Planning plan for London setting out an integrated Documents (SPDs) and Supplementary New development must be of a high economic, environmental, transport and Planning Guidance (SPG) for the area. architectural and urban design quality social framework for the development of This SPD will form part of the planning based on sustainable design principles. London over the next 20-25 years. This policy framework upon adoption and Development must be inclusive, respect document has been adopted to ensure should be read in conjunction with the local character including the nature of that a longer-term view of London’s Council’s suite of planning policy and a particular road, and connect with, and development is taken when producing guidance as applicable. There is also a contribute positively, to its surroundings local plans, making planning decisions range of evidence base studies that the based on a thorough understanding of and investing in infrastructure. Policy Council has undertaken which help to the site and its context. 7.29 in the London Plan refers to the guide policy making. In assessing the design quality of a Thames Policy Area stating that relevant The Council is currently moving forward proposal the Council will have regard to boroughs, including Richmond, must on allocating larger development sites as the following: designate a Thames Policy Area in their part of its Local Plan-making processes. 6 ■ compatibility with local character and orientation, and sustainable DMP Policy DM HD 1 Conservation Areas – ■ it has an impact on the surrounding including relationship to existing construction. designation, protection and enhancement environment both in terms of the loss of townscape individual front gardens and in damaging CS Policy CP8: Town and Local Centres Buildings or parts of buildings, street the unity and character of groups of ■ frontages, scale, height, massing, furniture, trees and other features which houses and the streetscape in general. proportions and form Retail and town centre uses will be make a positive contribution to the supported providing that it is appropriate ■ sustainable development and adaptability, character, appearance or significance of the Policy DM OS 11 Thames Policy Area subject to aesthetic considerations to the role in the hierarchy of the centres, area should be retained. and respects the character, environment and The special character of the Thames Policy ■ layout and access historical interest of the area. DMP Policy DM HD 2 Conservation of Listed Area (TPA), as identified on the Proposals ■ space between buildings and relationship Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments Map, will be protected and enhanced CS Policy CP11 River Thames Corridor to the public realm by ensuring development establishes a Preservation of Listed Buildings of special ■ detailing and materials relationship with the river and takes full The natural and built environment and architectural or historic interest and advantage of its location. Whilst all adopted policies are applicable, the unique