Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

Policy 35 Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Local Green Space

A. The borough’s Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land will be protected and retained in predominantly open use. Inappropriate development will be refused unless ‘very special circumstances’ can be robustly demonstrated that clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land.

B. Appropriate uses within the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land include public and private open spaces and playing fields, outdoor recreation and sport, biodiversity including rivers and bodies of water, open community uses including allotments and cemeteries. Development will only be supported if it is appropriate and helps secure the objectives of improving the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land, subject to national planning policy tests.

C. ‘Very special circumstances’ must result in the improvement and enhancement of the openness, character and use of the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land. Measures could include improvements or enhancements to landscape quality (including visual amenity), biodiversity (including delivering biodiversity net gain) or accessibility.

D. When considering developments on sites in proximity to Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land, any possible visual impacts on the character, local distinctiveness, and openness of the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land will be taken into account.

Local Green Space (LGS)

E. Local Green Space, which is demonstrably 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.