The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section describes the district and the issues the plan must tackle. Three Rivers covers about 88 square kilometres on the edge of London, with around 93,800 residents in 2021, projected to reach 98,919 by 2041 alongside a fast-growing over-65 population. It is among the least deprived areas in England, though pockets of deprivation exist, notably in South Oxhey. House prices averaged £594,000 in October 2025, making affordable housing a pressing need. Around 76% of the district is Green Belt, car dependency is high, and the council declared a climate emergency in 2019.
Moor Park
6 sections of the plan, in document order.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the vision for Three Rivers as a desirable, prosperous district with sustainable settlements, a resilient economy and a high quality environment moving towards zero carbon. It lists the strategic objectives needed to deliver this, including a range of new homes with priority for rented affordable and family-sized housing, matching new jobs to new homes at a 1:1 ratio, making best use of previously developed land, and integrating infrastructure and sustainable transport. Other objectives cover heritage, climate change, biodiversity, open space, the district's rivers, good design, an ageing population, health and safeguarding the Green Belt.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the site allocations for Rickmansworth. Six sites are allocated: four housing sites providing around 151 homes, including the Affinity Water Depot on Church Street (75 homes) and a depot at Stockers Farm Road (40 homes), plus two care home sites. Land on London Road is allocated for a 75-bedroom care home, counted as equivalent to 40 dwellings, and Meresworth for a 51-bed care home, equivalent to 27 dwellings. Site tables list size, phasing, Green Belt status and site-specific requirements.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the design and heritage chapter. The district's housing stock includes many larger detached and semi-detached homes on generous plots, making it popular with families, with relatively few flats. Its character is shaped by the Metro-land developments that followed the Metropolitan line, featuring Tudor revival and Arts and Crafts styles. The plan aims to increase density and deliver more one, two and three bedroom homes while protecting this strong local identity, and to keep living standards high through minimum space standards and controls on subdividing homes.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects the district's heritage, including 352 listed buildings, 22 Conservation Areas, Scheduled Monuments, registered parks and gardens, and locally important buildings. Applications affecting a designated heritage asset must include a Heritage Statement explaining the asset's significance and the proposal's impact. Substantial harm to or loss of listed buildings and other designated assets will be refused unless substantial public benefits outweigh the harm. In Conservation Areas, development must preserve or enhance character and appearance, with strict tests for demolition, and reuse of historic buildings to help tackle climate change is supported where significance is not harmed.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets the district's parking standards for cars, disabled parking, cycles, electric vehicles and powered two-wheelers. Standards vary by use, for example one space for a one-bedroom home and 2.5 spaces for homes with four or more bedrooms, and can be adjusted with robust evidence. In zones near stations, provision drops to 60% in Zone 1 around Rickmansworth station and 80% in Zone 2. For most uses, 20% of car spaces must have working electric vehicle charging, with a further 30% wired ready for future points.