The Planning Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, to discuss several applications for planning permission. The meeting's agenda included proposals for a new café and facilities in Richmond Park, variations to plans for a care home development, and an increase in pupil numbers at Hampton Prep School.

Roehampton Gate Cafe, Richmond Park

A significant item on the agenda was the proposal for the demolition of existing buildings at Roehampton Gate Cafe in Richmond Park and the construction of a new café, public toilets, and cycle hire building. The application, submitted by The Royal Parks, also included revisions to site entrances and landscaping, and a new pedestrian access gate on the park boundary. The report pack indicated that this development is considered inappropriate within Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), necessitating a case for very special circumstances to be made. The proposal was recommended for approval, subject to the completion of a legal agreement and various conditions. The report highlighted potential harm to the MOL, Conservation Area, and Grade I Listed Park, but suggested that the benefits, including improved landscape quality, biodiversity, and accessibility, would outweigh this harm.

Former Hampton Police Station, Hampton

The committee was scheduled to consider a variation to a planning approval for the former Hampton Police Station at 68 Station Road, Hampton. The application sought to vary conditions related to approved drawings, green roofs, and solar panels, and to remove conditions concerning a wildflower green roof and balcony screens. The original planning permission, granted in May 2023, was for the retention and refurbishment of the building, with extensions and a basement to create a registered care home. The proposed variations included a reduced basement, infill extensions to the rear, a change in the number of care suites and bed units, and a reduction in parking spaces. The report indicated that while there were some changes affecting the rear of the building and its impact on the Building of Townscape Merit (BTM) and Conservation Area, these were considered less than substantial. The recommendation was for approval, subject to a Deed of Variation to the legal agreement and specified conditions.

Hampton Prep School, Hampton

An application to vary a condition restricting pupil numbers at Hampton Prep School was also on the agenda. The proposal sought to increase the maximum number of pupils from 144 to 176. The report noted that the original planning permission had included a condition to safeguard neighbouring amenities and ensure safe traffic management. The applicant's transport assessment suggested a negligible impact on highway operations, and a parking stress survey indicated sufficient capacity. However, an updated travel plan was recommended as a condition of approval. The Council's Environmental Health Officers raised no objections regarding residential amenity or air quality, subject to the travel plan condition.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as receiving apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and the consideration of minutes from a previous meeting.