Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

Policy 34 Green and Blue Infrastructure (Strategic Policy)

A. Green and blue infrastructure is a network of multi-functional green spaces and green features, green space stepping-stone sites as well as rivers and other watercourses, ponds, floodplains and wetlands, which provides multiple benefits for people, nature and the economy, and which plays a significant role in both mitigating and adapting to climate change.

B. To ensure all development proposals protect and appropriately enhance and restore green infrastructure, the following will be taken into account when assessing development proposals:

  1. Protect and enhance the borough’s blue and green infrastructure networks, in particular, but not exclusively, the sites designated as Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land, Local Green Space, Other Open Land of Townscape Importance, other open spaces as well as areas designated for their biodiversity and nature conservation value.
  2. Protect and seek improvements to walking and cycling routes to and through the green infrastructure network, such as green spaces, and where opportunities arise create such routes, thereby promoting healthy lifestyles and active travel.
  3. Enhance the existing blue and green infrastructure network, including open spaces and green corridors, providing habitats for biodiversity to flourish and expand.
  4. Protect and enhance biodiversity within the green and blue infrastructure networks, particularly on sites designated for nature conservation interest, but also recognise the contribution that non-designated sites offer to increase biodiversity in the borough.
  5. Increase the provision of green and blue infrastructure in and around development sites through urban greening and other green and blue infrastructure features, ensuring they complement the surroundings and link into existing networks.
  6. Expect development to incorporate and maintain appropriate elements of green infrastructure which make a positive contribution to the wider network of open spaces.
  7. Enhance accessibility to open spaces as well as to the blue infrastructure network, particularly to the borough’s rivers and their banks, for recreational use, while ensuring that the biodiversity value is protected and enhanced in a measurable way.
  8. Improve opportunities for local residents and visitors to experience nature and provide educational opportunities, both formal and informal, within the development, to allow the public to embrace their local environment and develop potential stewardship behaviours.
  9. Make provision for the long-term sustainable maintenance and management of open space and green and blue infrastructure features on site, including supporting community involvement in stewardship of green and blue infrastructure networks, and ensuring there is space for growing food, including pollination and wildlife-friendly gardening.

For more information please see the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan