Adopted Local Plan

The Local Plan sets out our planning policy. It is used to shape developments and guide decisions on where, how much, and what kind of development is needed in Richmond upon Thames.

About the Local Plan

The Local Plan sets out a 15-year strategic vision, objectives and the spatial strategy. The plan includes place-based strategies covering the whole borough, along with accompanying site allocations, as well as the thematic planning policies that will guide future development in the borough. It will inform how growth will be accommodated across the borough. The plan seeks to address future challenges including climate change, health, affordability and liveability.

If you would like to understand more about what the Local Plan does, what it means for residents and the key issues it addresses, view the Local Plan Explained

The new Richmond Local Plan 2024-2039

The new Richmond Local Plan and Policies Map was adopted on 7 October 2025.

The following documents are available: 

• Interim version of the adopted Local Plan – this is an interim version as approved by full Council, subject to additional minor modifications to the Plan to cover any necessary updates on adoption and graphic and layout changes, a final version to be published in due course.   
• Policies Map – you can view the policy designations spatially through the interactive map
• Local Plan Adoption Statement
• Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement

Hard copies of these documents are being made available to view at the Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ and in our main libraries.

This plan replaces policies in the previously adopted Local Plan (Review 2015-18) and the Twickenham Area Action Plan (2013). Details of these and previous plans will still be available to view for reference and are being moved in to the Local Plan archive.

How the Local Plan was produced 

The preparation of this plan has taken place over a number of years, including public consultations on the draft plan prior to it being submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

The Inspectors’ Report concluded that the Local Plan, as submitted, provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the borough provided that a number of Main Modifications were made to it, which have been incorporated. Note the Local Plan was examined against the NPPF 2023 under transitional arrangements and therefore those references have been retained.

View key dates for the Local Plan update.

Contact

Email: localplan@richmond.gov.uk