Architects Richmond

Though its neighbours the Sheens were mentioned in the Domesday Book, Richmond came into being during the reign of King Henry VII, the former Earl of Richmond in Yorkshire. He built Richmond Palace on the River Thames, only a few remains of which survive. Ever since, the neighbourhood hosted some of the most recognised names in British lore: writers like Alexander Pope and Virginia Woolf; actors like Richard Burton; royals back to Queen Elizabeth I, who stayed at Richmond Palace en route between Hampton Court and Woodstock.

The allure of Richmond’s location cannot be overstated. It is surrounded by green and blue: deer parks, heaths and golf courses. The spectacular Thames, which dips toward the neighbourhood on both sides, is where sculls and pleasure-boats glide all year long – to stroll along the river on a sunny morning is to be thrust back some 300 years. Just upriver is Sion Park, with its 16th-century crenellations. Downstream is Marble Hill, one of a handful of grand, old houses where wealthy city types stayed centuries ago. Abutting the old deer park is Kew Gardens, which recently reopened Temperate House, a hanger-sized Victorian glasshouse. Some say there are 2,500 deer living in the park today.

The District Line will whiz you into the City, yet breaking away from the bustle of town is easy when you’re living in Richmond, with Heathrow Airport barely 30 minutes away and all of the West Country beyond. Old Windsor is closer to Richmond than Soho.
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The elegant Georgian townhouses abutting the park and lining the river bear special heritage status – they deserve it, having escaped the worst of the bombs during the Second World War. If you were after a home with history, though, you’d find a wealth of them, resembling the finest in mien and stature. A brown-brick cottage with a white picket fence, a Regency terrace as graceful as any in Kensington, a detached Georgian with a park view… they’re all available in Richmond, and each can be tailored to the needs of a growing family. Not only are the houses protected by conservation rules, but the bakeries, the schools, pubs and hotels. So even if you’ve opted to live somewhere new, your views will forever be “period”.

We offer extensive services in Richmond Upon Thames for homeowners looking to renovate. This London borough is one of the wealthiest, containing many properties that showcase historical architecture. Consequently, many residents embark on restoration projects or renovations to modernise their homes for how we live today.

As a leading architect in Richmond, we know that there are many questions to ask before renovating a property in this area. Most specifically, many of our clients come to us asking about planning permission in this London borough. How does one go about acquiring permission to conduct certain renovations, when is it needed, and so on.

Is it hard to get planning permission in Richmond?

As you may be aware, Richmond upon Thames is notorious for its strict planning permission regulations. The planning officers are keen to respect traditional where possible, not wanting to disrupt the natural equilibrium of the area. There are some very strict rules in place and a series of Conservation Areas to be aware of. In total, Richmond has 85 conservation areas, with each one carrying its own statement. The idea with an area like this is that it has special architectural or historic interest that needs to be preserved or enhanced.

Not only that but there are lots of listed buildings within the borough of Richmond as well. A listed building is a property that has been placed on the Statutory List of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Special consent is needed before these buildings can be altered in any way.

Of course, there are properties outside of conservation areas – and ones that aren’t listed buildings – in Richmond as well. These properties are the easiest to gain planning permission for, but you still have to go through the process of acquiring it.

Is it possible to get planning permission in a Conservation Area?

Yes, you can acquire planning permission to extend or alter a building within one of Richmond’s 85 Conservation Areas. However, you also need to apply for Conservation Area Consent. This is a completely different form of permission, which is granted by an external force.

Thus, you need to submit two applications; one for Conservation Area Consent, and one for Planning Permission in Richmond. It isn’t uncommon for homeowners to end up with approval in one of these categories, yet not the other. Rest assured, you need both before you can legally renovate a property in one of the Conservation Areas in Richmond.

Is it possible to get planning permission for Listed Buildings in Richmond?

Once more, it is definitely possible to obtain the right permissions to renovate a listed building in this London borough. Damaging or making alterations to a listed building is actually considered a criminal offence. Therefore, you want to avoid making any plans or starting any work until you are 100% certain that you’re been granted the correct permissions.

Similar to Conservation Areas, listed buildings require two levels of approval. Firstly, you need to get listed building consent directly from Historic England. Once this has been granted, you can proceed with your planning application to the Richmond Council. Here, you need an extensive list of documents that detail everything about your property. This includes supporting documents from any professionals that will be working on your home – such as architects, consultants, engineers, and so on.

Why is the final step necessary? Because it gives the council confidence that you will undertake a responsible renovation job that doesn’t ruin the building. If you submit an application with no support from any suppliers or contractors, it will most likely be rejected.

How do you apply for planning permission in Richmond?

Regardless of what category your property falls into, you will need to submit a planning application to the Richmond Council. The council itself recommends that you do this online via the Planning Portal. There’s a £25 fee for doing this, and the process will look something like this:

1. Check if permission is required – Firstly, head to the Planning Portal site and check if your property requires any planning permission at all. It’s rare, but some properties and buildings in Richmond don’t need any permission to carry out renovations. Checking is just a way of staying safe.
2. Fill in the right form – There are lots of different planning application forms available, and the one you choose will depend on what your project entails. It helps to work with professionals like ourselves to understand which form you need to fill in. This can avoid lots of confusion and stress if you fill in the wrong form.
3. Ensure you have all the right evidence – On the form, you will be asked to provide a host of evidence or supporting documents with your application. Be sure that you have all of these as it prevents any stoppages in the process.
4. Submit your application – Finally, you can send off your application and wait for the outcome.

At this point, Richmond Council will contact you with the results of your application – or if they require any additional information. If you get the all-clear, you can start preparing for your renovation. If your application is denied, you are able to appeal. All appeals are sent to the Planning Inspectorate, and there’s a chance the decision could be reversed.

What are Richmond Village Plans?

One final point to cover, and relates to the fourteen villages in Richmond. Interestingly, each village in this borough will have its own planning policy called a Village Plan. This goes alongside the Richmond Local Plan, and you need to read up on it.

Sadly, the Village Plans aren’t easy to find – and they change rapidly. By working with a local architect like Scenario Architecture, you can find these plans and understand the specific policies in place relating to the village you’re based in.

In summary, there’s a plethora of knowledge to know about planning in Richmond. It’s a difficult borough to deal with, but it is still very possible to acquire the right planning permission for your project.