Draft Supplementary Planning Documents for Consultation

We have been 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 four draft SPDs on Biodiversity, Trees and Development, Local Views, and Transport.  We are considering the responses and will update this page soon.

There are no current consultations. Guidance on domestic retrofit is expected to go out for consultation later in the year.

Recent consultations

We recently consulted on the following draft SPDs:

• Draft Biodiversity SPD
• Draft Trees and Development SPD
• Revised Draft Local Views SPD
• Draft Transport SPD

The consultations were 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.  

What happens next

The consultation has ended, and we are considering all the responses, after which the final SPDs will be adopted by the Council. Adoption is expected later in the year.

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

Past consultations archive

We previously consulted on the Draft Local Views Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

This SPDs was not taken forward to adoption at the time.

A draft Local Views SPD was on in February 2026.

Details of the previous consultation, including the responses received, are kept on this page until the SPD is adopted.

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 Local Views SPD responses schedule

Contact

Email: localplan@richmond.gov.uk