Policy RT1
River Thames
The council will work with its partner organisations, including the Environment Agency, Port of London Authority, Thames Water and landowners to enhance and increase access to, as well as use of, the waterways in the borough, namely the River Thames, and improve waterside environments by:
a) identifying the Thames Policy Area on the Policies Map and setting out general criteria for the design of development in this area, in this Local Plan;
b) encouraging the development of vacant or underused land along the waterways, namely the River Thames, Chelsea Creek and taking into account their local context and character;
c) protecting existing water dependent uses and requiring new development to provide opportunities for water-based activities where appropriate, as well as encouraging public access especially for leisure and educational activities;
d) ensuring the provision, or improvement and greening, of the Thames Path National Trail (the riverside walk) in all riverside developments;
e) promoting use of the River Thames for transport uses, including passengers and freight;
f) seeking the enhancement of river and canal related biodiversity, improvements to the tidal foreshore, safeguarding and enhancing where necessary flood defences, in line with the requirements of the Thames River Basin Management Plan and the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan;
g) as required by the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, creating a Riverside Strategy for Hammersmith and Fulham; and
h) promoting the riverfront as a destination, encouraging linkages with the towns and the riverfront to enhance the borough's daytime and evening economies and cultural offering.
10.0 The River Thames is of considerable benefit to Hammersmith and Fulham and is of strategic importance to London as a whole. The Thames Policy Area designation and associated policies aim to protect the features of the riverside and of the river, including the Chelsea Creek, particularly its environmental quality and importance as:
- a major linear open space which is particularly important in an area with limited parks and open spaces;
- a landscape feature with views and landmarks of local importance;
- a resource for recreation and sport, tourism and leisure;
- an ecological resource and an important refuge for plants and wildlife;
- a Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC)
- an area with considerable archaeological and historic interest; and
- a transport resource.
Thames strategy Kew to Chelsea
10.1 Further details of the qualities and character of the river and riverside are included in the Thames Strategy – Kew to Chelsea 2002. This strategy will be updated as part of the work being carried out by the Thames Strategy Partnership.
10.2 A balance needs to be reached between the many functions of the river. In Hammersmith and Fulham there is a particular issue with vacant and under-used safeguarded wharves and the development of the land adjoining these sites. More detail on the wharves is provided in the policy for the South Fulham Riverside Regeneration Area and Site Allocations. It is important to note that, in respect of the land adjoining the wharves, the London Plan seeks to minimise the potential for conflicts of use and disturbance, in line with the Agent of Change principle. It is therefore the council's intention to encourage development of these sites and to encourage suitable waterside uses as part of mixed-use schemes where these would be appropriate. However, the development of land should take into account London Plan policy and the need for design to seek to minimise conflict between different uses (see also Local Plan Policy RC4).
Water based activities
10.3 The River Thames has a significant potential for water-based activities that can increase opportunities for participation in sport and recreation in the borough as well as for a transport use. It also provides a home for a number of boat dwellers. It is therefore a priority for the council to protect existing river-dependent and river related uses and promote new uses where they would bring about a public benefit.
10.4 It is an aim of the council to extend and improve the Thames Path National Trail, with a continuous riverside walk, together with pedestrian and cycling routes to link it to the surrounding area, which will often depend on the development of the vacant and underused riverside sites.
10.5 The River Thames is an important wildlife habitat and corridor and is a designated Nature Conservation Area of Metropolitan Importance. It is therefore important for the biodiverse nature of the Thames and its foreshore to be protected and enhanced.
Thames estuary 2100 plan
10.6 The Thames Estuary 2100 Plan is a long-term strategy setting out how flood risk management authorities can adapt to climate change in the face of rising sea levels and aging flood defences. It sets out requirements for flood defence raising to 2090. Flood risk authorities are required under the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan to produce Riverside Strategies that align with the plan's long-term flood risk management aims. Such strategies must be in place by 2030. It is therefore an objective for the council to produce a Riverside Strategy to ensure the borough remains protected by its flood defences. The council will work closely with the Environment Agency on these matters. Further information on planning requirements relating to managing flood risk are provided in Local Plan Policy CR7.
Riverfront and the local economy
10.7 The riverfront plays a vital role in supporting the borough's local economy and cultural identity. The many pubs, restaurants and venues along the riverfront contribute to both daytime and evening activity. To enhance the linkages with the town centres, particularly Hammersmith, the council will encourage stronger physical and visual connections between the riverfront and the town centres with measures such as wayfinding, appropriate lighting and public realm design to ensure the riverfront is welcoming and accessible.