Policy information sourced from Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan
LP 13 Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Local Green Space Green Belt
Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land
- The borough’s Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land will be protected and retained in predominately open use. Inappropriate development will be refused unless ‘very special circumstances’ can be demonstrated that clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land.
- Appropriate uses within Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land include public and private open spaces and playing fields, open recreation and sport, biodiversity including rivers and bodies of water and open community uses including allotments and cemeteries. Development will be supported if it is appropriate and helps secure the objectives of improving the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land.
- It will be recognised that there may be exceptional cases where inappropriate development, such as small scale structures for essential utility infrastructure, may be acceptable.
- Improvement and enhancement of the openness and character of the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land and measures to reduce visual impacts will be encouraged where appropriate.
- When considering developments on sites outside Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land, any possible visual impacts on the character and openness of the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land will be taken into account.
Local Green Space
- Local Green Space, which has been demonstrated to be special to a local community and which holds a particular local significance, will be protected from inappropriate development that could cause harm to its qualities.
For more information please see the Local Plan