The Planning Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Wednesday 22 February 2017, granting permission for developments at Kings House School and Teddington Studios, while refusing a variation of a previous permission at Teddington Studios. The committee also approved a separate application for development at 275 Sandycombe Road.

Kings House School, 66-68 Kings Road, Richmond

Permission was granted for a development at Kings House School subject to conditions and informatives. The committee acknowledged that the application could cause demonstrable harm to immediate neighbours through light spillage and noise, and that the chosen boundary treatment was a concern. However, they felt these issues could be mitigated with conditions and further advice. Additional conditions were imposed to ensure the new first-floor classrooms are used solely for the benefit of Kings House School and for no other purpose. Furthermore, blackout blinds must be fitted to the south-facing windows of these classrooms and kept closed after 5 pm when lights are on, to protect neighbouring amenity. Detailed drawings showing the specification of windows in the south elevation of the extensions must also be approved by the Local Planning Authority to protect the building's integrity and ensure noise dampening for neighbours.

Informatives advised the applicant to prioritise tree planting along the boundary with 64 and 64a Kings Road, considering fast-growing species for year-round screening. The applicant was also recommended to work proactively with neighbours and the local community, with the committee suggesting the implementation of a Residents Forum to meet at least once a term. Specific considerations for the forum included encouraging responsible parking by parents and visitors, potentially by employing a staff member to marshal parking during peak periods, and minimising disturbance from out-of-hours use of school facilities. This would involve restricting usage to no more than existing levels, no more than four Sundays per annum, and none on Bank Holidays, along with preparing an addendum Travel Plan for out-of-hours activities.

Teddington Studios, Broom Road, Teddington

Two applications concerning Teddington Studios were considered. The first, an application to vary a previous permission (16/2436/VRC), was refused. The committee's refusal was based on the proposed amendment, which would result in an unacceptable increase in dwelling units and density beyond the approved development and the London Plan's Density Matrix. This was without additional commensurate provision of affordable housing or justification in the absence of a financial viability appraisal. The committee felt this would prejudice the delivery of affordable housing in the Borough, contrary to national and local planning policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework, London Plan policies 3.12 and 3.4, and the Council's development plan.

However, a separate application for development at the same site (16/2875/FUL) was granted. The committee welcomed the additional affordable housing this application brought to the site.

275 Sandycombe Road, Kew

Permission was granted for a development at 275 Sandycombe Road, Kew. The committee expressed disappointment that no affordable housing was being delivered as part of the scheme, although they did not consider this sufficient grounds to refuse the application. They also expressed a hope that the development would remain genuinely car-free.