Policy information sourced from Three Rivers Core Strategy

PSP1 Development in the Principal Town (Rickmansworth)

Development in Rickmansworth will:

  • Focus future development predominantly on sites within the urban area, on previously developed land
  • Provide approximately 15% of the District’s housing requirements over the Plan period to include approximately 45% of affordable housing as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010)
  • Maintain the overall amount of existing employment floorspace in the town, including the general supply of office accommodation in the town centre
  • Maintain the retail core in the town centre and where appropriate enhance it through a modest increase in retail floorspace in accordance with the Retail Capacity Study
  • Contribute to an integrated approach to improve transport and movement into, and around, the town and connectivity with all other key centres in the District and service centres in adjoining Districts. The priority will be improving and enabling use of public transport to increase public transport patronage
  • Maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre by promoting a range of town centre uses including housing, employment, shopping, leisure and community uses. This should help to improve access to housing, jobs and services
  • Support the town centre as a focus for community interaction and the viability of existing facilities such as Watersmeet Theatre
  • Conserve and where possible enhance the distinctive and historic character of the centre, particularly within the area defined by the Rickmansworth Town Centre Conservation Area through appropriate and well designed development. This will be guided by the Conservation Area Appraisal and future updates
  • Conserve and enhance the unique natural landscape, biodiversity and habitat surrounding the town, including in the River Chess Valley to the east and the River Colne Valley to the south, including the Colne Valley Park
  • Improve the provision of, and access to, services and facilities to meet future demands, specifically through:
    • Improvements to rail services and rail links at Rickmansworth Station primarily through the Croxley Rail Link
    • Provision of a strategic cycle route between Rickmansworth Town Centre and Chorleywood and Maple Cross with links into the National Cycle Network and Colne Valley Trail
    • Improvements to parking and cycle facilities at Rickmansworth Station
    • Improved bus services between Rickmansworth Town Centre and surrounding centres
    • Road safety improvements to Park Road (A412) and Chorleywood Road (A404) by the Royal Masonic School
    • The extension of cemetery facilities at the site in Woodcock Hill to increase capacity
    • Maintain and improve biodiversity, recreational access and watersports facilities at Rickmansworth Aquadrome in accordance with the management plan and master plan
    • Expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools meet identified needs in the Rickmansworth area.

For more information please see the Three Rivers Core Strategy