Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021

SI 16 Waterways – use and enjoyment

Development Plans and development proposals should protect and enhance waterway infrastructure.

Development proposals should protect and enhance, where possible, water-related cultural, educational and community facilities and events, and new facilities should be supported and promoted, but should take into consideration the protection and other uses of the waterways.

Development proposals that increase the provision of water sport centres and associated new infrastructure will be supported if a deficit in provision has been identified locally, and if the infrastructure does not negatively impact on navigation or on the protection of the waterway (see Policy SI 17 Protecting and enhancing London’s waterways).

Development proposals adjacent to waterways should protect and enhance, where possible, existing moorings. The provision of new moorings and/ or required facilities (such as power, water and waste disposal) should be supported if they are:

  • off-line from main navigation routes, in basins or docks, unless there are negative impacts on navigation or on the protection of the waterway (see Policy SI 17 Protecting and enhancing London’s waterways)
  • appropriately designed including the provision of wash mitigation, where necessary
  • managed in a way that respects the character of the waterways.

Existing access points to waterways (including slipways and historic steps) and alongside waterways (including paths) should be protected and enhanced.

Development proposals along waterways should protect and enhance inclusive public access to and along the waterway front and explore opportunities for new, extended, improved and inclusive access infrastructure to/from the waterways.

Development proposals should improve and expand the Thames Path and the towpaths, improve alignment with the waterway where relevant, enhance them as walking routes, and provide better linkages to the transport network. This will require collaboration with relevant partners including London boroughs, the PLA, the Canal and River Trust, the Environment Agency and Natural England, as well as landowner, developer and community representatives. These paths will be public and not private spaces.

For more information please see The London Plan 2021