Policy information sourced from Wandsworth Core Strategy

PL 9 River Thames and the riverside

Along the riverside in the Thames Policy Area mixed use redevelopment will be promoted in order to create safe attractive environments, provide new homes, jobs, leisure and social infrastructure facilities with public spaces at focal points, a riverside walk and cycle way and increased public access to the river. Development next to or opposite safeguarded wharves should be designed to minimise the potential for conflicts of use and disturbance.

Greater use will be made of the river. The efficient operation of the wharves will be supported through the protection of routes to the main road network serving protected wharves. Five wharves will continue to be safeguarded for the transhipment of freight, including waste and aggregates, and for freight related activities. The loss of safeguarded wharves should only be accepted if the wharf is no longer viable or capable of being made viable for cargo handling uses. At Cringle Dock and Kirtling Wharf (Site Allocations 2.1.6 & 2.1.7), any proposal for mixed use development must ensure that it does not have a negative impact on the operation of the safeguarded wharf. This includes impacts on access arrangements to the wharf and the retention of the operational capacity of the wharf. Assessments as to whether a wharf is or can be viable will be made using the criteria set out in para 7.77 of the London Plan 2015.

Existing river infrastructure that provides access to the river and the foreshore, such as piers, jetties, drawdocks, slipways, steps and stairs will be protected and new facilities, including piers for riverbuses, promoted. Enhanced riverbus services will be promoted and supported (see also Policies PL3 and IS1 and DMPD Policy DMO7).

Putney Embankment’s special recreational character and function, particularly in connection with river sports, will continue, with facilities and activities which contribute to this character supported and protected.

Development will not be permitted which encroaches onto the river foreshore or which harms the stability or continuity of flood defences. Opportunities will be taken, in consultation with partner agencies such as Natural England, the Port of London Authority and the Environment Agency, to create habitat and reduce flood risk in line with the requirements of the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan.

Measures to protect and enhance the river as a valuable resource for wildlife and biodiversity, including wildlife corridors and green chains, will be supported, in particular at the mouth of the River Wandle.

For more information please see the Wandsworth Core Strategy