Future for Thames lies in past: Helen Nowicka looks at a conservation strategy with a vision to protect the river's character

A strategy to preserve the character of an 11-mile stretch of the Thames fringed by listed buildings, parkland and historic villages has been drawn up.

The Thames Landscape Strategy, to be published tomorrow, outlines proposals for managing the river between Hampton and Kew, and sets out goals to be pursued during the next century. They include conservation projects, guidance for building schemes, restoring historic views, and creating new rights of way.

The document is the first to cover any part of the river in such detail. It will be launched by John Gummer, the Environment Secretary, with the support of the Countryside Commission, English Heritage, English Nature, the National Rivers Authority and the Royal Fine Art Commission.

Crucially, the publication has also been adopted by the boroughs of Hounslow, Elmbridge, Richmond and Kingston - the local authorities for this stretch of the Thames.

Each will incorporate the strategy into planning regulations, ensuring that the height of future construction will not intrude upon views of the Thames. The boroughs will also work together to evaluate the visual impact any new building will have beyond individual planning authority boundaries.

The author of the strategy, landscape architect Kim Wilkie, said it filled a planning void. He is certain that broad support from statutory bodies and local community groups will ensure they are translated into action. The first effects could be seen within months.

'In Kingston, 40 per cent of the waterfront is to be redeveloped in the next few years, the report suggests how that can be done sympathetically.

Key proposals include:

Reintroduction of ferry links at strategic points, such as between Isleworth and Kew;

Sensitive river bank maintenance to provide habitats for wildlife;

Advising landowners on traditional farming methods which will not damage native flora and fauna;

The conservation of historic boatyards, discouraging their replacement by large-scale non-river related developments;

Preserving the distinct character of towns and villages along the waterfront by preventing developments which would blur their boundaries;

Improving access to nature conservation areas;

Stricter control over speed boats in the interests of other river users, wildlife, and bank erosion, and

the creation of a committee uniting representatives of the various backers to monitor progress, and the appointment of a project officer.

Most proposals will be inexpensive to implement, or have been linked to existing budgets. However, grants and sponsorship will be provided for larger projects by national and local agencies.

The strategy developed from research by Mr Wilkie in 1991 into historic vistas along this stretch of the Thames. Some views are the result of formal garden planning, such as tree-lined avenues at Hampton Court, which lead the eye to distant landmarks. Others, like King Henry VIII's mound in Richmond Park, are natural phenomena used for communication - it is said that from this hill the king watched for a signal from the Tower of London 10 miles away that Anne Boleyn had been beheaded, so he could ride off to marry Jane Seymour.

Plans to restore vistas which have disappeared, and improve others in danger of being lost are also included.

One project involves clearing sycamore scrub which largely obscures an 18th century obelisk in Richmond's Old Deer Park, part of a group aligned by George III's astronomers to calculate the time and to study planetary movements. Others include the improvement of views of Syon Park, Kew Gardens and on the river itself, by clearing away undergrowth and felling some trees.

Despite the consensus supporting the strategy, Mr Wilkie is aware that proposals to encourage tourism by promoting parks, villas, museums and palaces could prove contentious, as could plans to enhance views which involve even limited tree felling. But he defends both by returning to the plan's long-term aims.

'You can have people visiting the Thames and not have it turning into a theme park. Inevitably, when a tree comes down people are opposed, and it is the familiar view they want to keep, they don't remember what it was like ten years ago.

'It's very important that schemes which involve tree felling are fully explained to people who will be affected. When you say it's to help nature conservation, they see there is a need.

'We are one stage in the evolutionary process. If we don't contribute to it but simply say 'conserve', we will build up pressure for radical change, like in the Sixties.

'That would sweep away much that is good, and that is what we must prevent.

(Photograph and map omitted)