RICHMOND AND RICHMOND HILL Draft Supplementary Planning Document I October 2015 Contents 1. Introduction 4 2. Planning Policy and Wider Context 6 3. Spatial Context 9 4. Vision for Richmond 14 5. Objectives 14 6. Character Area Assessments 15 ■ Conservation Area 1: Kew Foot Road 16 ■ Character Area 2: The Pagoda Triangle 18 ■ Character Area 3: North of Mortlake Road 20 ■ Character Area 4: South of Mortlake Road 22 ■ Conservation Area 5: Sheendale Road 24 ■ Character Area 6: Old Gas Works 26 ■ Character Area 7: Between Upper and Lower Richmond Road 28 ■ Character Area 8: Kings Farm Avenue and surrounds 32 ■ Character Area 9: Queen’s Road Estate 36 ■ Character Area 10: Queen’s Road (west side) 38 ■ Conservation Area 11: St Matthias 40 ■ Conservation Area 12 Richmond Hill 44 ■ Conservation Area 13: Richmond Riverside 48 ■ Conservation Area 14: Richmond Green 52 ■ Conservation Area 15: Central Richmond 56 ■ Conservation Area 16: Sheen Road 60 ■ Character Area 17: Old Deer Park Gardens 62 ■ Conservation Area 18: Old Deer Park 64 7. Features and Materials 68 8. Guidance for Development Sites 76 9. Shop Front Guidance 78 10. Forecourt Parking 86 Appendix 1: Relevant Policies and Guidance 88 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 and Each village is distinctive in terms of enhancing the character of, Richmond, the community, facilities and local character – as are many sub areas and to provide guidance in this regard. The within the villages. SPD forms part of the wider Village Plan. The villages of the London Borough By identifying key features of the village, Richmond upon Thames are the SPD clarifies the most important attractive with many listed buildings aspects and features that contribute to and conservation areas, the local local character to guide those seeking character of each being unique, to make changes to their properties or recognisable and important to the to develop new properties in the area, as community and to the aesthetic of well as being a material consideration in the borough as a whole. determining planning applications. The core of this SPD is a series of character area assessments for the component areas of Richmond. 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 2010 ‘All-In-One’ survey and subsequent website and are updated as works are 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 Richmond community in the production of the SPD Adult Community College on the 6th has been essential in ensuring it is a genuine June 2015 and St Matthias Church on the reflection of residents’ priorities. 13th June 2015 ■ Resident walkabouts held in the morning and afternoon on both the 7th June 2015 and 14th June 2015 ■ Online questionnaire consultation (running from 15th May to 29th June 2015) 5 2. Planning Policy and Wider Context 2.1 Planning Policy Framework Development Plan Documents. The Some larger sites in Richmond have boroughs must define the boundaries been identified through consultations National Planning Policy by taking into account proximity to the undertaken by the Council. Where The National Planning Policy Framework Thames, contiguous areas with clear appropriate sites in Richmond have been (NPPF) set out the Government’s visual links between areas and buildings assessed in Chapter 8 of this document planning policies for England and how and the river and specific geographical to establish design objectives should they these are expected to be applied. The features, areas and buildings which relate come forward for development. NPPF is a key part of the Government’s or link to the Thames. The River Thames Up-to-date information on the Council’s reforms to make the planning system section through Richmond is designated Local Plan can be viewed at http:// less complex and more accessible. The in the Thames Policy Area in the London www.richmond. gov.uk/home/services/ NPPF provides the context for local Plan. planning/planning_ policy/local_plan.htm. planning authorities and decision takers, Local Planning Policy both when drawing up plans and making 2.2 Key Planning Policies decisions about planning applications. The London Borough of Richmond upon It must be taken into account in the Thames current statutory planning policy SPDs cannot create new policies but preparation of local and neighbourhood framework is set out in adopted Plans expand on policies set out in higher plans, and is a material consideration in including the Core Strategy, adopted plans, notably the Core Strategy (CS) planning decisions. in April 2009, and the Development and the Development Management Management Plan, adopted in November Plan (DMP). This SPD relates to a Regional Planning Policy 2011. There is an online proposals considerable number of higher policies, notably: At a regional level, the London Plan FALP map and a range of guidance provided (adopted in 2015) is the overall strategic through Supplementary Planning DMP Policy DM DC 1 Design Quality plan for London setting out an integrated Documents (SPDs) and Supplementary economic, environmental, transport and Planning Guidance (SPG) for the area. New development must be of a high social framework for the development of This SPD will form part of the planning architectural and urban design quality London over the next 20-25 years. This policy framework upon adoption and based on sustainable design principles. document has been adopted to ensure should be read in conjunction with the Development must be inclusive, respect that a longer-term view of London’s Council’s suite of planning policy and local character including the nature of development is taken when producing guidance as applicable. There is also a a particular road, and connect with, and local plans, making planning decisions range of evidence base studies that the contribute positively, to its surroundings and investing in infrastructure. Policy Council has undertaken which help to based on a thorough understanding of 7.29 in the London Plan refers to the guide policy making. the site and its context. Thames Policy Area stating that relevant The Council is currently moving forward In assessing the design quality of a boroughs, including Richmond, must on allocating larger development sites as proposal the Council will have regard to designate a Thames Policy Area in their part of its Local Plan-making processes. the following: 6 ■ compatibility with local character and orientation, and sustainable DMP Policy DM HD 1 Conservation Areas – environment both in terms of the loss of including relationship to existing construction. designation, protection and enhancement individual front gardens and in damaging townscape the unity and character of groups of CS Policy CP8: Town and Local Centres Buildings or parts of buildings, street houses and the streetscape in general. ■ frontages, scale, height, massing, furniture, trees and other features which Retail and town centre uses will be proportions and form make a positive contribution to the Policy DM OS 11 Thames Policy Area ■ sustainable development and adaptability, supported providing that it is appropriate character, appearance or significance of the subject to aesthetic considerations to the role in the hierarchy of the centres, area should be retained. The special character of the Thames Policy and respects the character, environment and Area (TPA), as identified on the Proposals ■ layout and access historical interest of the area. DMP Policy DM HD 2 Conservation of Listed Map, will be protected and enhanced ■ space between buildings and relationship Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments by ensuring development establishes a CS Policy CP11 River Thames Corridor to the public realm relationship with the river and takes full Preservation of Listed Buildings of special ■ detailing and materials advantage of its location. The natural and built environment and architectural or historic interest and the unique historic landscape of the River Whilst all adopted policies are applicable, Ancient Monuments and seek to ensure Policy DM DC 7 Shop fronts and shop signs those of particular relevance are: Thames corridor within the Borough will be that they are kept in a good state of repair.