Kingston Upon Thames - Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Consultation

THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES
Planning And Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (As Amended) - Notice Of Public Consultation Under Regulation 19 Of The Town And Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (As Amended) On The Habitats Regulations Assessment, To Support The Royal Borough Of Kingston Upon Thames Local Plan

Notice is hereby given that THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES are undertaking a consultation on the Habitats Regulations Assessment. This is a supporting document of the borough's draft Local Plan that looks at how the new Local Plan’s proposals might affect protected natural habitats (called European Sites).

A European site is protected by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 as amended (known as the Habitats Regulations). The council must carry out an assessment under the Habitats Regulations to test if a plan or project could significantly harm the designated features of a European site. For more information on Habitats Regulations Assessments, please visit the GOV.UK website: (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/habitats-regulations-assessments-protecting-a-european-site# European-sites).

Consultation Period
The consultation launched on Monday 28 September 2026, running for a period of 6 weeks and closes at 11:59pm on Monday 9 November 2026.

Comments should focus on whether the Habitats Regulations Assessment is legally compliant and whether it meets the tests of soundness, as specified in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Once the Local Plan has been submitted, a public hearing will be arranged. Sharing your comments in this consultation (formally called ‘making a representation’), means that you have the same opportunity to speak at a public examination of our Local Plan as someone who responded to the main Local Plan (Regulation 19) consultation over the summer. Whether you choose to speak at the hearing or not, your feedback will be presented to the Inspector.

How To View Documents And Share Your Comments:
The Habitats Regulations Assessment and all Local Plan consultation documents are available to read and download from: www.kingston.gov.uk/localplan. You can share your final comments on legal compliance and soundness in a number of ways:
- Online: Complete the response form on our website at: www.kingston.gov.uk/localplan.
- Email: Send your comments to: localplan@kingston.gov.uk.
- Post: Send your comments to: Spatial Planning Team, The Royal Borough Of Kingston Upon Thames, Guildhall 2, High Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1EU.
- In Person: Visit any open Library in the Borough or the Information and Advice Centre, Guildhall 2, High Street, Kingston, KT1 1EU, to pick up a feedback form and stamped addressed envelope to return your comments.

If you need the Local Plan in an alternative format, or have a question, please email: localplan@kingston.gov.uk, or call us on 020 8547 5000 and we will call you back.

THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES