Policy information sourced from Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan
LP 12 Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure is a network of multi-functional green spaces and green features, which provides multiple benefits for people, nature and the economy.
- To ensure all development proposals protect, and where opportunities arise enhance, green infrastructure, the following will be taken into account when assessing development proposals:
- the need to protect the integrity of the green spaces and features that are part of the wider green infrastructure network; improvements and enhancements to the green infrastructure network are supported;
- its contribution to the wider green infrastructure network by delivering landscape enhancement, restoration or re-creation;
- incorporating green infrastructure features, which make a positive contribution to the wider green infrastructure network.
- The hierarchy of open spaces, as set out in the table below, will be protected and used in accordance with the functions shown.
| Type and Size | Main Function |
|---|---|
| Regional Parks (400 ha+) | Large areas, corridors or networks of open space, the majority of which will be publicly accessible and provide a range of facilities and features offering recreational, ecological, landscape, cultural or green infrastructure benefits. Offer a combination of facilities and features that are unique within London, are readily accessible by public transport and are managed to meet best practice quality standards. |
| Metropolitan parks (60 – 400 ha) | Large areas of open space that provide a similar range of benefits to Regional Parks and offer a combination of facilities at a sub-regional level, are readily accessible by public transport and are managed to meet best practice quality standards. |
| District parks (20 – 60 ha) | Large areas of open space that provide a landscape setting with a variety of natural features providing a wide range of activities, including outdoor sports facilities and playing fields, children’s play for different age groups and informal recreation pursuits as well as visual amenity. |
| Local parks (2 – 20 ha) | Providing for court games, children’s play, sitting out areas, visual amenity and nature conservation areas. |
| Small local parks and open spaces (less than 2 ha) | Gardens, sitting out areas, children’s play spaces or other areas of a specialist nature, including nature conservation areas as well as visual amenity. |
| Pocket Parks (under 0.4 ha) | Small areas of open space that provide natural surfaces and shaded areas for informal play and passive recreation that sometimes have seating and play equipment as well as visual amenity. |
| Linear open spaces (variable) | Open spaces and towpaths alongside the Thames and other waterways; paths, disused railways; nature conservation areas; and other routes that provide opportunities for informal recreation. Often characterised by features or attractive areas which are not fully accessible to the public but contribute to the enjoyment of the space and visual amenity. |
For more information please see the Local Plan