Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

Policy 26 Visitor Economy

A. The Council will support the sustainable growth of the visitor economy for the benefit of the local area by:

  1. supporting proposals which promote and enhance the borough’s existing tourist attractions, including the unique, historic and cultural assets that are connected via the River Thames, such as The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Ham House and Hampton Court Palace;
  2. proposals that lead to increased visitors and tourists need to be of an appropriate scale for the size of the centre and will be assessed against the transport policies of this Plan;
  3. requiring accommodation and facilities to be accessible to all; either 10% of hotel bedrooms should be wheelchair accessible or 15% of new bedrooms to be accessible rooms as set out in London Plan Policy E10;
  4. enhancing the environment in areas leading to, within and around visitor destinations where appropriate;
  5. supporting the Cultural Quarters in Richmond and Twickenham and other existing clusters of cultural facilities and creative industries, particularly in town centres, and where ancillary facilities are proposed that are open for public use (such as restaurants, gyms and conference facilities).

B. In relation to visitor accommodation:

  1. proposals which result in the loss of bedspaces will be resisted;
  2. proposals which increase the number of bedspaces will be supported subject to other Local Plan policies;
  3. proposals will be supported which contribute towards providing a range of visitor accommodation, including small independent hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation, or short-term accommodation with stays not exceeding 90 days, subject to other Local Plan policies.

For more information please see the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan