Shaping the borough's future

7.48.17pm GMT Sat 23rd Feb 2008

• THE planning vision for the borough, spanning the next 15 years, is set to be spelled out by Richmond Council.

The Council's Cabinet meets on Monday, 25 February, to agree plans to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The Local Development Framework Core Strategy, sets out the Council's approach to key issues such as housing, the economy, shopping and transport. It focuses on three key themes: sustainability, protecting local character and meeting people's needs.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said: "This sets out our overall planning vision for the future of the borough, including the five main centres of Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Whitton and East Sheen, and how the Council will respond to local priorities. Community involvement in the process is crucial and wide-ranging consultation was carried out last autumn. Our policies on minimising the borough's impact on climate change were generally supported and, indeed, the need for sustainable development is a key aspect of our vision. We will be requiring the highest standards of energy-efficiency in new developments. We are also determined to fulfil the potential of our town centres making them increasingly attractive to residents and visitors by concentrating new shops and services in these areas.

"Providing more employment opportunities, and increasing affordable housing borough-wide are among other key priorities along with improving facilities in areas of relative deprivation. Protecting open space and local character, including our prized conservation areas, will also continue to be a fundamental requirement. Once the strategy is submitted to the Secretary of State, there is a final opportunity to make representations which will be considered by an independent inspector at a public inquiry in the autumn. We are determined that everyone should have their say in shaping their communities," he added.