A planning application has been submitted to convert Laboratory of the Government Chemists' (LGC) former site in Teddington's Queens Road into an industrial site.

The application seeks the "Change of use of Building 39 from ancillary E(g)(ii) (research and development) to flexible E(g)(ii) (research and development), E(g)(iii) (industrial processes), B2 (general industry) and B8 (storage and distribution)".

It also proposes the "Demolition of remaining existing E(g)(ii) (research and development) units and construction of flexible E(g)(ii) (research and development), E(g)(iii) (industrial processes), B2 (general industry) and B8 (storage and distribution) multi-unit enterprise park. Ancillary works including external lighting, parking areas, hard and soft landscaping".

The site is located within a mixed-use area comprising industrial and residential uses and is bounded by Coleshill Road to the north, Queen's Road (B358) to the east, Rayleigh Avenue to the south and Stanton Avenue to the west.

It is noted that the site is identified within Richmond's Local Plan as being a 'Locally Important Industrial Land and Business Park' and a 'Key Office Area'.

The site currently comprises the LGC and is utilised as laboratories, offices and storage floor space. Access to the site is currently via the New Kelvin Avenue arm off the existing 5-arm roundabout located to the southeast of the site.

In an application document, developer mode transport planning says the objectives of its Construction Logistics Plan (CLP) are:

Reduced construction trips in the peak periods, leading to less congestion

Reduce vehicle emissions as far as possible

Improved vehicle safety for construction vehicles servicing the site

Ensuring pedestrian safety around the site and loading areas

Minimising impact on neighbours

The application has already received four objections from local residents concerning parking and traffic issues, economic desirability, and noise disturbance.

A resident who lives on Coleshill Road said: "At the February public consultation, residents of Coleshill Rd were assured we would be shielded from noise disturbance as all the activity would be on the far side of the buildings situated along Coleshill Rd. This has not proved to be entirely true.

"We note from the plans that there is a large gap between the buildings where units 210-240 and 110-130 are accessed very close to the road. We live opposite this gap and are at home most of the time. We see noise disturbance is anticipated as the plans show an acoustic fence at this point.

"However, the comment in the plans that with this fence the 'noise will be reduced as far as is practicable' indicates that we will, nevertheless, be impacted by noise from units 210-240 and 110-130 due to their positioning directly next to the road.

We have been used to having a continuous row of buildings along the road and with this have suffered no noise disturbance. To have the proposed gap with industrial units being accessed directly next to a residential road would seem to be an arrangement which is inappropriate and detrimental to residents.

"Moreover, in earlier designs drawn up by the developer, other arrangements of units were considered which had no such gap between the buildings, indicating that the current design with a gap is not necessary to develop the site."

They added: "We suspect that, whatever reasons may have been given to justify the position of units 210-240 and 110-130, the underlying reason is to maximise the number of units even though there will be an impact on Coleshill Rd.

"We ask you to consider requiring a change to the plans at this point along Coleshill Rd so that there is not this gap with units positioned directly next to the road, but instead there is a continuous row of buildings, as at present, shielding us from noise.

"If the planning office does not regard it as inappropriate and detrimental to residents to have industrial units 210-240 and 110-130 accessed directly next to Coleshill Road, we ask you to ensure that the acoustic fence that is erected is of the highest specification and effectiveness, and is properly installed and maintained, including any gates in it; also, that any other possible noise reducing measures are made a requirement. 

"We also request that some restriction be put on the use of units 210-240 and 110-130 so that they are not available to companies that generate a lot of noise.

"Also, we have a bedroom opposite the gap between units 210-240 and 110-130. We ask you to ensure that the lighting in this area will not result in this part of Coleshill Rd, opposite our residence, having a light level above the present night-time level.

"We hope these mitigating measures will not be necessary because the planning office will not allow the developers to build units 210-240 and 110-130 as shown on the planning application."

Richmond Council is expected to make a decision on this application by 21 November.

You can view the full application and submit a comment here.