Policy information sourced from the Elmbridge Core Strategy

CS3 - Walton on Thames

Recent public and private investment will continue in order to build on recent success and to ensure that high quality infrastructure and services are provided for all residents, delivering healthy and sustainable communities. Environmental improvements along Walton High Street will further raise the profile and improve the shopping experience within the town centre.

Within the town centre, new development will be promoted in a way that delivers high quality, well designed public spaces and buildings, makes efficient use of land and adds to the centre’s attractiveness and competitiveness. Sites within the town centre will be considered for high density mixed-use developments. A diversity of uses which contribute to the centre’s overall vitality and viability will be supported (see CS 18 - town centre uses). New employment floorspace will be directed to the town centre and other employment areas located around Hersham and Walton stations.

Outside of the town centre, new development will be promoted through redevelopment of previously developed land, taking account of relative flood risk, in a way that integrates with and enhances local character. New development proposals within the Church Street/ Bridge Street and Walton Riverside Conservation Areas will respect and enhance these areas of historic interest.

Local shopping facilities at The Halfway and Terrace Road will be supported in order that they can provide for the day to day needs of local residents.

Through the ‘One Elmbridge Partnership’, and in consultation with local people, measures which will uplift the environment of some residential areas and improve the health and well-being of residents will be promoted.

The Council will work in partnership with service providers to improve education, sports and health provision.

Access to and within the area will be improved through a series of measures including a new road bridge over the Thames at Walton, enhanced station facilities, and a parking management scheme around the town centre, extending south towards The Halfway, will be developed with a view to adopting a coherent approach to parking provision. This could potentially offer redevelopment opportunities which could address wider community needs. Other measures will be identified through the Elmbridge Infrastructure Delivery Group to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists, public transport users and those with impaired mobility (see CS28 - Implementation and Delivery).

A co-ordinated approach will be adopted to the use and management of the area’s open spaces, with the aim of balancing the needs of the community with the imperative to protect the sites of European and national nature conservation value located in the north of the area including the Knight and Bessborough reservoirs, and sites considered to offer an important supporting role including Queen Elizabeth II and Island Barn, Molesey East and West reservoirs and Hersham gravel pit. Open space improvements will be supported as part of the Green Arc project at Molesey Heath and through provision of an improved accessible open space at Waterside Drive (see CS14-Green Infrastructure and CS15-Biodiversity).

See appendix 2 for settlement investment and development schedules.

For more information please see the Elmbridge Core Strategy