Open land and biodiversity research

The planning system places an emphasis on undertaking research to inform planning policies. We have prepared and commissioned a number of studies which provide advice and information on open land and biodiversity.

Open land

We have commissioned Arup to undertake a boroughwide Open Land Review (Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), Local Green Space (LGS) and Other Open Land of Townscape Importance (OOLTI)) 2021. The report is to inform the new Local Plan.

• Green Belt, MOL, LGS and OOLTI Review (overarching report) (2021) (pdf, 23.1 MB)
• Green Belt Assessment Annex Report (detailed assessment) (2021) (pdf, 922 KB)
• Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) Review Annex Report (detailed assessment) (2021) (pdf, 132 MB) Very large file
• Local Green Space (LGS) Assessment Annex Report (detailed assessment) (2021) (pdf, 16.3 MB)
• Other Open Land of Townscape Importance (OOLTI) Review Annex Report (detailed assessment (2021) (pdf, 17.9 MB)

Previous studies

View earlier research relating to open land:

• Open Land Review of Metropolitan Open Land and Other Open Land of Townscape Importance Designation (2006)

Biodiversity

We have appointed Salix Ecology to carry out a comprehensive review of sites designated for nature conservation importance in the borough. The review will inform the new Local Plan.

• Review of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation Volume 1 Report (2021) (pdf, 44.1 MB)
• Review of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation Volume 2 Supporting Information (2021) (pdf, 38.8 MB)
• Addendum to the Review of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (16 December 2021) (pdf, 83 KB)

Previous studies

View earlier research relating to biodiversity:

• Habitat survey of proposed Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (and other) 2016 (pdf, 3.6 MB)

You can also view more details about our local habitats including the Richmond Biodiversity Action Plan on our nature conservation page.