London View Management Framework

Supplementary Planning Guidance

The London View Management Framework SPG provides guidance on the policies in the London Plan for the protection of strategically important views in London. The SPG explains how 26 views designated by the Mayor and listed in the London Plan are to be managed, and replaces the regional guidance in RPG3a (1991) relating to ten strategic views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster. The same ten views identified in RPG3a, as well as an eleventh view from City Hall to the Tower of London, are now subject to new directions pertaining to ‘Protected Vistas’ issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on 16 May 2007. The London Plan and the SPG represent a more comprehensive approach to managing the designated London views than under RPG3a.

The final London View Management Framework SPG was published on 13 July 2007 and may be downloaded free of charge:

SPG View Management Framework PDF (5.3MB)
SPG View Management Framework RTF text only (974KB)

An errata for the SPG View Management Framework is available to download:

Errata for SPG View Management Framework PDF
Errata for SPG View Management Framework RTF

Higher resolution files of the document in separate sections are also available.

Note June 2009: The Mayor has published his draft Revised London View Management Framework for public consultation.

An introduction to the London View Management Framework

In its introductory chapters, the SPG introduces a method of assessment that will assist the management of the views generally, based on the principles of good design and existing relevant national, regional and local policies.

Individual Management Plans for each of the 26 designated views elaborate on the management approach for each view. These will be of special interest to those boroughs from which the views are enjoyed, neighbouring boroughs that are affected by the views, landowners and developers with properties within the views, and other key stakeholders who are concerned and involved with the management of built environment issues in London.

A series of technical appendices provide important information for those engaging in the assessment of proposals appearing in the views, including ordnance survey co-ordinates for the Assessment Points and detailed guidance on the preparation of Accurate Visual Representations (AVRs).

Printed copies of the London View Management Framework

Printed copies of this SPG and copies on CD-Rom are available, prices to be notified. Please see the publications page for contact information for purchasing publications.

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