Have your say on Bexley masterplan for the tidal Thames

A consultation launched today (10 July) by the Port of London Authority (PLA) gives the public the chance to comment on plans to maximise the benefits of developments affecting the River Thames in the London Borough of Bexley.

Running till 21 August 2023, the consultation is the first in a series that will cover all 22 local authorities bordering the tidal Thames, stretching 95 miles, from Teddington in west London to the coast.

It supports the PLA’s Thames Vision 2050, launched last year, focussing on growing trade, environmental protection and attracting more people to the river for sport and leisure.

James Trimmer, director of planning & development at the PLA, explained: “Our goal is for each riparian borough to have its own Thames masterplan, encouraging investment and guiding local decision making related to the river.

“A key focus will be on highlighting potential Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) opportunities as part of new development, in advance of BNG requirements coming into place through the Environment Act in November 2023.

“These will require almost all developments to deliver a 10% increase in biodiversity, compared to pre-development conditions.”

“We want each borough’s Thames masterplan to be a key tool for all those involved in planning the river’s future.

“In drafting this first local masterplan, we have worked closely with the London Borough of Bexley, river operators and landowners, as well as the Greater London Authority, the Environment Agency and the Thames Estuary Growth Board, to establish a list of sites and opportunities across the borough.

“We now very much want to hear the ideas of the wider community. For example, is there anything you would like to see included?”

The scale of potential future growth in population, housing and jobs, particularly along riverside areas in Bexley, is the reason for focusing the first local Thames masterplan on the borough.

The next local authority areas to be considered are scheduled to be Newham and Tower Hamlets in east London, who are both undertaking reviews of their Local Plans.

Studies commissioned by the PLA show that by 2050 the river will be carrying up to 50% more cargo. The scheduled passenger services network is expected to grow too.

Fuelled by changed shopping habits resulting from the pandemic, there is also growing interest in using the river for transporting light freight and parcels, a trend helping keep lorries off the roads in the capital.

Other themes underpinning the Thames Vision 2050 are: safety, Net Zero transition, resilience, technology, as well as access and inclusion.

In parallel, the PLA-led Active Thames programme is promoting wider community involvement in sport on the river, including walking.

Comments on the draft plan can be made via the masterplan Bexley website, or sent to: [email protected].