The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy manages the impacts of building work, deliveries and servicing. Construction Management Plans are required for sites close to the Strategic Road Network, and may be needed wherever highway safety or amenity could suffer; environmental management plans may also be required. Developments must show how deliveries, waste collection and servicing will work for their whole lifetime, ideally off street, without causing noise, obstruction or nuisance for residents and businesses. Delivery and Servicing Plans are required where vehicle movements could affect roads, the public realm or neighbours.
OpenConsult / Three Rivers Plan Explorer
Transport & travel
Roads, rail, buses, walking and cycling, parking, EV charging and major schemes such as East West Rail and HS2.
224 sections of the plan, in document order.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects the district's canal and rivers. Development near waterways must protect and enhance waterway infrastructure. New permanent moorings and marinas are only allowed next to existing built-up areas, and must not harm nature conservation, heritage, navigation or the towpath, restrict leisure boaters' access to moorings, or increase flood risk. Major schemes beside waterways should consider providing new moorings or water-based leisure facilities, and look at using the canal for freight during construction or as a renewable energy source.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy covers broadband and communications equipment. Masts, antennae, dishes and cabinets must not significantly harm the appearance of buildings or their surroundings, with particular care in conservation areas, and operators should share equipment and use camouflage or miniaturised designs where possible. All new residential, employment and commercial developments must be served by, or capable of being served by, super-fast full-fibre broadband. The connection works should be finished before the development is first occupied.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects community buildings and services. Development that would remove a community facility will not be allowed unless an equal replacement is provided on site, the need can be met by an accessible facility elsewhere, or evidence shows there is no demand and the building cannot serve another community use. Where a use is claimed to be unviable, marketing and financial evidence is required. New and improved facilities are supported in accessible locations, funded where needed through developer contributions. Facilities not open to the public, such as school sports halls, must agree community access.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out detailed design criteria for new homes, extensions and alterations. On privacy, it gives an indicative 22 metre separation between facing buildings, rising to at least 24 metres for taller blocks or those with balconies. It sets minimum garden and amenity space levels, for example 60 square metres for a three-bed house and 15 square metres for a one-bed flat. It also covers daylight, dual aspect homes, flats, extensions, including a 45 degree rule and 1.2 metre set-ins from boundaries, dormer windows, roof forms and bin and cycle storage.
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.