After five years of intense negotiations, developers have gained approval for a significant residential project in Richmond upon Thames.
- The Manor Road development will replace a former Homebase store with 453 new homes.
- Designed by Avanton, the project includes four buildings ranging from three to eleven storeys.
- 40% of the homes are allotted for affordable housing, enhancing community accessibility.
- This scheme has faced multiple reviews, but finally holds a green light to proceed.
After five years of heated negotiations and planning hurdles, the £260m Manor Road development in Richmond upon Thames has finally received the necessary clearance to move forward. This significant residential project, conceived by the property developer Avanton with the backing of Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), is set to transform the site of a former Homebase store next to North Sheen station. The development will feature 453 homes across four separate blocks, each varying between three and eleven storeys. The ambitious project also aims to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, indicating a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
A notable feature of the Manor Road development is its dedication to affordable housing. With 40% of the homes designated for affordable tenures, Avanton is addressing the pressing need for more accessible housing options within the community. This commitment underscores the company’s forward-thinking approach to urban development in one of London’s most desirable areas.
The journey to approval has been anything but straightforward. Initially submitted in 2019, the planning application faced significant opposition from the local council. However, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, intervened and granted approval in October 2020, contingent upon a Section 106 agreement. Despite this endorsement, the plan was further scrutinised by the then Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick, who demanded an additional review. This latest approval aligns closely with the original 2020 blueprint.
According to the Richmond Society, a local conservation group, the initially proposed scheme was even larger, envisioning 385 homes with structures exceeding the local plan’s six-storey limit. The current approval, with its emphasis on maintaining historical consistency and providing ample communal outdoor spaces, reflects a compromise between development ambitions and community concerns.
Avanton has expressed enthusiasm about moving forward with the project. Omer Weinberger, the founder and chief executive, highlighted the site’s classical brick design and exceptional transportation links, proclaiming it as one of the best mid-market housing locations in West London. His optimism is fueled by the strategic location, which is within walking distance to landmarks such as Richmond Park and Kew Gardens.
This green light for the Manor Road project arrives as Avanton wraps up final planning for another significant venture—the 515-home Stonebridge Place scheme in Wembley. This development, expected to start taking shape in early 2025, signals Avanton’s ongoing commitment to expanding London’s housing landscape.
The green light for the Manor Road development represents a significant milestone for Richmond’s urban landscape.
