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Draft Supplementary Planning Documents for Consultation

On this page

We are updating our existing SPDs and preparing new ones. These provide further details on the implementation of policies and/or site allocations for key development sites as contained within the adopted Local Plan.

We recently consulted on the three draft SPDs listed on this page. Another round of consultations began on 16 February for four more draft SPDs on Biodiversity, Trees and Development, Local Views, and Transport. Guidance on domestic retrofit is now expected to go out for consultation later in the year.

Current consultations

We are currently consulting on the following draft SPDs:

The consultations are open until Monday 23 March 2026.

Draft Biodiversity SPD

The draft Biodiversity SPD provides clear guidance as to how biodiversity can be considered and incorporated at each stage of the development process, ensuring that biodiversity is integral to the design of proposals.

It includes detailed information about how proposals can ensure biodiversity is considered and enhanced in the borough, providing advice on targeted biodiversity enhancements and takes into account the Richmond Biodiversity Action Plan.

The SPD responds to the updated BNG requirements (2024) and will support the biodiversity policies set out in the Richmond upon Thames Local Plan.

Draft Trees and Development SPD

The draft Trees and Development SPD provides clear guidance for developers to assist them in managing and protecting trees during development.

It aims to maximise the delivery and protection of trees during the planning process to improve biodiversity and enhance the borough’s natural and built environment for the benefit of local residents 

The SPD will support the policies set out in the Richmond upon Thames Local Plan and help meet our vision and ambitions for tree planting in the borough as set out in the Trees for Richmond strategy.

Revised Draft Local Views SPD

The draft Local Views SPD was consulted on previously in 2022. Following the addition of new views, and additional clarity, we decided that it should be consulted on again.

With the adoption of the Richmond upon Thames Local Plan (2025) the local views shown on the Policies Map were formally designated.

The revised draft Local Views SPD sets out in detail descriptions of each view, viewing locations, and the important features in each view.  Find out more about the Local Views SPD consultation.

Draft Transport SPD

The draft Transport SPD supports and provides additional guidance on the transport policies set out in the Richmond upon Thames Local Plan relating to roads, access considerations and sustainable transport, setting out expectations for development proposals and signposting to additional documents that may assist in the preparation of planning applications.

The SPD ensures that development supports sustainable travel choices, reduces reliance on private car use and contributes positively to the borough’s wider objectives on climate change, air quality and living locally.

Once adopted, the draft SPD will replace the existing Transport SPD (2020), reflecting changes to national and regional policy, legislation and guidance.  

How to respond

Responses to the consultations can be made by email or post:

  • Email: localplan@richmond.gov.uk
  • Post: Spatial Planning and Design, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ

Please make sure your response states which consultation you are commenting on.

For the revised draft Local Views SPD, a response form is available with the consultation material.

Reference copies are being made available to view at the Civic Centre and in our libraries.

Responses are not treated as confidential, and anonymous responses will not be accepted.

What happens next

After the consultation ends, and we have considered all responses, the final SPDs will be adopted. Adoption is expected later in the year.

Once adopted, SPDs become a material consideration when assessing future planning applications.

Recent consultations

We recently consulted on the following draft SPDs:

The consultations closed on Monday 22 January 2026.

The consultation has ended, and your views are being considered, after which the final SPDs will be adopted by the Council.
Once adopted, SPDs become a material consideration when assessing future planning applications.

Draft Affordable Housing SPD

The draft Affordable Housing SPD has been updated to reflect our priorities around the delivery of affordable housing and the contributions developers are expected to make. The draft SPD updates the existing version from 2014 and the 2022 version, which was consulted upon but not adopted.

This draft SPD reflects updates to national, regional and local policy and guidance including the updated London Plan (2021) and new or updated London-wide guidance and provides further guidance on how viability will be assessed within the planning application process.

Draft Planning Obligations SPD

The draft Planning Obligations SPD is an update of the existing SPD (2020) following the adoption of the Local Plan in October 2025, and sets out how the impacts of developments will be mitigated through planning obligations, including in relation to climate change, affordable workspace, employment and skills, transport, open space and social infrastructure.

The draft SPD seeks to ensure that financial contributions and other planning obligations can be efficiently secured through the planning application process, reducing the need for case-by-case negotiation. An updated Planning Obligations calculator will sit alongside the SPD following adoption, to assist developers with understanding requirements from an early stage.

Draft Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD

The Sustainable Construction Checklist (SCC) SPD consists of two components:

  1. An Excel spreadsheet (scores are calculated as the Checklist is completed) (a required submission document)
  2. An accompanying Guidance Document which provides advice on completing the spreadsheet, sustainability accreditation, energy statements, and signposting to relevant policies and resources.

The SCC SPD is an update of the existing SPD (2020) to reflect the ambitious approach to sustainable construction and energy efficiency in the adopted Local Plan, as well as to reflect the latest national and regional policy changes and guidance since the last update.

The format of the draft SCC SPD spreadsheet has been updated to include multiple tailored Checklists with applicants only required to complete the Checklist relevant to their development (or more if a mix of development types is proposed).

Past consultations archive

We previously consulted on the following draft SPDs:

Neither of these draft SPDs were taken forward to adoption at the time.

An updated Draft Affordable Housing SPD (2025) has since been consulted on, and a draft Local Views SPD is being consulted on in February 2026.

Details of the previous consultations, including the responses received, are kept on this page.

Draft Local Views Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The consultations closed on Monday 5 September 2022.

This was a new SPD setting out those existing protected views that have already been adopted through the Local Plan, as well as additional ‘new’ locally important views.

This has arisen from the Urban Design Study, a comprehensive boroughwide townscape character assessment. Our consultants undertook a detailed exercise, based on site visits as well as through desktop research. The SPD was intended to be used by applicants when preparing planning applications to ensure the relevant view is protected where there are future development proposals that may affect it.

We asked for your views on the draft Local Views SPD (pdf, 18.8 MB). As this is a large file, you can also access a local views index where each view is listed as a way to identify specific views. There is also a boroughwide map (pdf, 12.2 MB) of all the views.

Draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) - superseded

The consultations closed on Monday 1 August 2022.

The draft Affordable Housing SPD provided further detailed guidance to support the adopted Local Plan policies with regard to affordable housing and how viability would be assessed within the planning process.

The draft SPD consisted of:

Note that the existing SPD Annex C (marketing pro-forma) and Annex D (on case studies) did not form part of the draft SPD.

Consultation responses

View details of all the comments received on the now superseded draft Affordable Housing SPD and the draft Local Views SPD:

Contact

Email: localplan@richmond.gov.uk

Up to: Supplementary planning documents and guidance

Updated: 16 February 2026

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