Policy information sourced from the Havering Local Plan
31 Rivers and river corridors
Havering’s rivers and river corridors fulfil important biodiversity, recreation, placemaking, amenity, freight transport and flood management functions which the Council will seek to optimise.
The Council will seek to enhance the river environment by requiring major developments in close proximity to a river to investigate and, where feasible, secure opportunities to restore and enhance rivers and their corridors in line with the Thames River Basin Management Plan (RBMP). This should, wherever possible, include the integration of flood defences into new developments. Where enhancements or restoration are financially viable but not feasible a financial contribution will be sought.
To protect and enhance the biodiversity and amenity value of river corridors while accommodating future adaptations to flood defences, the Council will require development to be set back by 8 metres from main rivers, ordinary watercourses and other flood assets, and 16 metres from tidal rivers or defence structures, including tie rods and anchors.
In the Thames Policy Area (as identified on the Policies Map) the Council will support development which:
- Establishes a link with the river, preserves and enhances views to and from the river and creates a high quality built and natural environment;
- Contributes towards the enhancement and extension of a riverside path to enable local communities to enjoy the riverside providing the appropriate life-saving equipment such as grab chains, access ladders and life buoys are provided along the river edge;
- Facilitates and acts on the recommendations of the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan;
- Contributes to the safeguarding of Halfway Wharf and Phoenix Wharf from redevelopment for other purposes which would prejudice their use for river based freight related purposes.
For more information please see the Havering Local Plan