Policy information sourced from the Southwark Local Plan 2022

P25 River Thames

  • Development within the Thames Policy Area must:
    • Establish or continue the River Thames Path along the water frontage; and
    • Maintain the integrity and alignment of the riverbank and create new access points to the River Thames; and
    • Maintain and enhance the existing facilities that support and increase the use and enjoyment of the river and the activities associated with the Thames in the Thames Policy Area, including:
      • Access points to and alongside the river, including stairs, piers and the Thames Path;
      • Docks, including protection against partial or complete infilling;
      • Mooring facilities;
      • Facilities for passenger, freight and tourist traffic;
      • Sport and leisure facilities;
      • Heritage assets on the foreshore and within the river.
  • Integrate successfully with the water space in use, appearance and physical impact; and
  • Provide landmarks that are of historical, cultural and social significance along the river, including orientation points and pleasing views without causing undue harm to the cohesiveness of the water’s edge; and
  • Successfully relate scale, materials, colour and richness of detail, not only to direct neighbours but also to buildings on the opposite bank and those seen in the same context with the river, or within borough or London Views Management Framework views. This should take into account how the river meanders and the impact this can have on how buildings may be seen together. New tall buildings should be set at least one block back from the river bank; and
  • Maintain, remediate and improve flood defence walls for developments adjacent to the River Thames. Development adjacent to defences and culverts should demonstrate that their development will not undermine the structural integrity or detrimentally impact upon its intended operation; and
  • Avoid unacceptable harm or impacts on navigation, biodiversity, heritage assets or the existing character of the Thames Policy Area if proposing new mooring facilities; and
  • Not extend developed land, build over the river, or result in a continuous line of moored craft; and
  • Consider the use of the River Thames as an alternative means of transport during construction.

For more information please see the Southwark Local Plan 2022