RICHMOND AND RICHMOND HILL Supplementary Planning Document I June 2016 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 Lower Mortlake Road 20 ■ Character Area 4: South of Lower 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, and the community, facilities and local character – as are many sub areas 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. Richmond and Richmond Hill SPD Area Boundary 4 The boundary for the SPD is based on: ■ Stakeholder Workshop (16 July 2015, Richmond Adult Community College) ■ a review of how each area’s design characteristics can best be grouped; ■ Online consultation and questionnaire ■ taking account of physical and from 9 October – 20 November 2015 administrative boundaries, including (Statutory consultation) conservation area boundaries to avoid these being split between village areas; ■ ‘Drop-In’ session at Duke Street Church and 7 November 2015 ■ how local communities viewed their local Wider Context (Village Plans) areas when asked through the Council’s 2010 ‘All-In-One’ survey and subsequent Village Plans have been developed for each consultations. of Richmond’s 14 villages. Each Village Plan describes a vision for the village area and This SPD has been produced by the Council identifies what the Council will do and working closely with the community. This what local people can do to achieve the has ensured that local residents, businesses vision together. It sets out the key issues and stakeholders have been genuinely and priorities and provides background involved in defining the important features information on the village area. The Village – as well as the opportunities and threats – Plans are maintained on the Council’s that define their local area. website and are updated as works are The community has been involved through: progressed. They cover a wide range of topics, including matters not within the ■ ‘Drop in sessions’ held at Richmond remit of the SPD. Adult Community College on the 6th June 2015 and St Matthias Church on the This Village Planning Guidance SPD forms 13th June 2015 part of the Village Plan by providing a formal planning policy document which ■ Resident walkabouts held in the morning can be used to guide new development and afternoon on both the 7th June 2015 that has responded to residents’ desire to and 14th June 2015 have greater control and influence over ■ Online questionnaire consultation planning and development decisions in their (running from 15th May to 29th June local area. The involvement of the local 2015) community in the production of the SPD has been essential in ensuring it is a genuine reflection of residents’ priorities. 5 2. Planning Policy and Wider Context 2.1 Planning Policy Framework their 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) sets 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 forms part of the planning architectural and urban design quality London over the next 20-25 years. This policy framework and should be read based on sustainable design principles. document has been adopted to ensure in conjunction with the Council’s Development must be inclusive, respect that a longer-term view of London’s suite of planning policy and guidance local character including the nature of development is taken when producing as applicable. There is also a range of a particular road, and connect with, and local plans, making planning decisions and evidence base studies that the Council contribute positively, to its surroundings investing in infrastructure. has undertaken which help to guide based on a thorough understanding of policy making. the site and its context. Policy 7.29 in the London Plan refers to the Thames Policy Area stating that The Council is currently moving forward In assessing the design quality of a relevant boroughs, including Richmond, on allocating larger development sites as proposal the Council will have regard to must designate a Thames Policy Area in 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),