Richmond’s Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State on 19 January 2024. The Local Plan sets out a 15 year strategic vision for the borough. It is supposed to guide future development and address challenges including climate change, health, affordability and liveability. The extent to which it is binding is contentious, given that elements of the Stag Brewery development do not comply with the existing or future Plan.

The Local Plan is subject to public examination by independent Planning Inspectors. At short notice it has come to attention that the public examination will commence on Tuesday 25 June 2024 at 10am at York House. The procedure and administration of the hearings is the responsibility of the Programme Officer working on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate. She is suppposed to have contacted all those who have responded to the consultation on the Local Plan (which the Mortlake with East Sheen Society did) with further information about the Examination process. She sent a notice to MESS on 19 June. Some local councillors had also not seen earlier notification. It became apparent that notices were circulated using MailChimp, which often ends up unseen in junk email.

On 25 June the Inspectors made their opening statement about procedures followed by that of the Council, which outlined their position on the Local Plan. The hearing about site allocations for Mortlake and East Sheen is listed for Tuesday 2 July.

Detailed documentation can be found at https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/planning/planning_policy/local_plan/draft_local_plan/draft_local_plan_examination