An application has been made to Richmond Council to turn Ruchi Restaurant, located at 83 Station Road in Hampton, into a residential unit with one bedroom for two people.

The planning application writes that it seeks "the proposed change of use of the ground floor from Commercial, Business and Service use (Class E) to two residential one-bedroom flats (Class C3) under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

The site is currently owned by a bathroom and plumbing company, Hampton Bathrooms.

The application says: "In 1976, the first floor of No.83 Station Road was utilised as a self contained flat while the ground floor continued operation as Old Use Class A1 (Shop).

"In 2003, planning permission was granted for the two storey rear extension to No.83 which allowed for an additional self-contained one-bedroom flat on the first floor.

"Further to this, in 2014, permission was granted for a further single-storey rear extension providing additional space for the ground floor shop.

"In 1998, the neighbouring property No.85 Station Road was granted permission for the change of use from retail to residential to create a 5-bedroom dwelling.

"Further permission was granted in 2017 for the conversion of this property into 1x 2-bderoom house and 1x 3-bedroom house."

The application also "proposes the conversion of the current Hampton Bathrooms Showroom into 2 self-contained flats with a subdivide in the centre of the building, with access for the flats to the side of the building".

The council is yet to make a decision.