Thames Landscape Strategy - Hampton to Kew -

The Review of the Thames Landscape Strategy

Background

The Thames Landscape Strategy (written by Kim Wilkie and published in 1994,) is an analysis of the character of the river landscape providing a vision for the natural and man-made elements of the landscape – an evidence base which draws together the history, topography, culture, politics and wildlife to form the basis for and shape future policy, management, projects and design.

The Thames Landscape Strategy (TLS), includes a series of ‘policies’ relating to planning objectives, projects and management that forms both a “guide book” for statutory and voluntary organisations, landowners and members of the public with an interest in the River. It will also be a material consideration for partner boroughs in the preparation of statutory planning documents and in the development control process.

Since publication, the Thames Landscape Strategy has won many national and international awards and is regarded as an example of best practice in landscape management. The TLS has evolved into a small but thriving not-for-profit organisation that brings together a partnership between riparian owners and communities to ensure that the Strategy and emerging priorities are implemented on the ground.

The Review Process

A three stage review of the Thames Landscape Strategy has been undertaken

Stage 1) TLS Review Status

The first stage in the review process was to agree the status that the TLS Review would have in the emerging planning framework. Following consultation between Thames Landscape Strategy partners, the Government Office for London and the Greater London Authority a report was produced by WS Atkins (March 2009) setting out three options that could be followed. It was ultimately agreed in May 2009 by the Thames Landscape Strategy Members’ Review that the option whereby the Review guidance becomes a material planning consideration was most appropriate. A mechanism to ensure that the Thames Landscape Strategy and its review are incorporated into relevant borough policies and the regional planning framework was agreed.

It was recognised that the review would need to take account of changing priorities and issues that have emerged since 1994 and also to bring the Strategy in line with the London Plan and the South East Plan. The London Plan necessitates boroughs to designate a Thames Policy Area and to prepare detailed appraisals of their stretches of the river and its environs in order to deliver policy and actions within the Thames Policy Area. These appraisals should be carried out in collaboration with other boroughs, the Mayor and relevant stakeholders.

The London Plan indicates that the three Thames Strategies (Hampton–Kew, Kew–Chelsea and the Thames Strategy East), fulfil this role but will need updating to take into account the London Plan and the emerging Local Development Frameworks of the local Councils. These appraisals should be used as guidance for DPDs, AAPs and development control decisions. They should also include specific implementation projects for local authorities, other public agencies or organisations in a position to implement river related projects. They should also be used to identify important riverside sites and determine the river related expectations for them.

Stage 2) Public and Stakeholder Consultation.

A period of public and stakeholder consultation took place between October 2009 and April 2010. Stakeholders were invited to review the 1994 TLS report and to suggest potential new projects, management issues and guidance that could be incorporated into the final TLS Review paper. This information provides evidence for the review.

Stage 3) The Review of the 1994 TLS Report

A consultant – Adams Hendry was appointed to review the TLS report. Work started in September 2010. The consultant has worked closely with the TLS and its partners to ensure that the review is in line with current policy and that stakeholder feedback has been incorporated into the review document. The review has considered the following:

• How the policies contained in the 1994 TLS Report have been used, their influence and their current status
• Identified ways that the TLS has been successfully used in both the planning environment and project work.
• Identify how the river landscape has evolved since 1994 as set out in the TLS character appraisal
• Update information for the Thames to identify areas of deficiency and the actions needed to address these deficiencies. These relate to:
• the identification of important riverside sites
• public and freight transport nodes (both land- and water-based, existing and
potential)
• development sites and regeneration opportunities
• opportunities for environmental and urban design improvement
• sites of ecological or archaeological importance
• areas, sites, buildings, structures, landscapes and views of particular sensitivity
and importance
• focal points of public activity and public access
• recreation and marine infrastructure
• flood risk management issues
• visitor and tourism provision
• water-based passenger, tourism and freight transport
• water-based sport and leisure
• access and safety provision
• marine support facilities and infrastructure and moorings

The Draft Review for Consultation

The mammoth task in compiling the draft Review for Public Consultation of the Thames Landscape Strategy is now almost complete. This process has taken longer than originally anticipated due mainly to sheer volume of changes that have taken place over the past 20 years across four local authority areas. The text is currently being considered by the TLS partners. The draft report includes the updated text, guidance notes, project proposals and management notes that will form the basis of the revised document. Over the summer, the updated maps, diagrams and photographs to illustrate the report will be completed.

How to Comment on the Draft Report for Public Consultation

The report will be available for TLS Partner consultation from June 21st with Stakeholder and Public consultation from mid July through to September (dates to be confirmed)

Any feedback will then be considered by the TLS partnership in September.

A paper copy of the draft TLS review will be placed in key local libraries (details of which ones will be placed here on the TLS website) and at the Richmond, Kingston, Hounslow and Elmbridge Civic Centres. An electronic version of the draft review will also be available as a pdf. on this page for stakeholders to download.
Comments will then need to be submitted by post or by email to Rebecca Law at Holly Lodge during the consultation period. An extended period of consultation has been proposed to take into account the holidays.

Further details to come