A planning application has been submitted to replace the roof of two existing accommodation buildings in Teddington with a new second storey compromising three new apartments.

The proposal is for Jardine House and Sandford House on Claremont Road.

It seeks to "Replace the existing accommodation in the roof to both buildings with a new second storey to comprise 3no new apartments and construct a new roof comprising 3no further additional apartments (i.e. 6no new apartments in total), revised and reduced car parking provision, additional refuse and recycling storage, additional cycle storage, external forecourt landscaping, PV panels to the proposed new roof, external air source heat pumps, revised windows at ground and first floor level and revised door openings at ground floor level to each block".

Plans to convert both buildings, which were previously offices and a repair garage before that, into apartments were approved earlier this year.

In an application document, drk planning – writing on behalf of the applicant – said: "Although this application adds a total of 6 new dwellings, which comprises a total of 14 dwellings if taken together with the 8no dwellings secured through the prior approval consent at ground and first floors, the gross total number of dwellings (14no dwellings) would only be 3no more dwellings than the 11no confirmed under the prior approval scheme. 

"Therefore, the marginal number of additional dwellings in this scheme relative to the prior approval consent would only be very marginal."

It added: "This application proposes additional floors and new dwellings to the existing buildings on this site. 

"This would bring forward additional new apartments, including new family-sized dwellings and a mix of housing, in a sustainable location, making effective use of land, securing a well-designed place.

"This proposal would deliver additional and much-needed new housing for families and different household sizes in a sustainable location, that would help the Council to meet its climate change objectives and would be of high quality with good residential amenity. 

"There would be no significant adverse impact from these proposals that would demonstrably outweigh the benefits of this proposal. Therefore, the presumption in favour of sustainable development and granting planning permission in this case would be sustained."

The proposals include:

Sandford House :

•  Second floor: 1-bedroom 1-person (48.7 sqm), 2-bedroom 3-person (61 sqm).
• Third floor: 1-bedroom 1-person (44.2 sqm), 1-bedroom 1-person (42.1 sqm).

Jardine House:

• Second floor: 3-bedroom 5-person (83.9 sqm).
• Third floor: 2-bedroom 3-person (61.05 sqm).

Roof Plan for Sandford House and Jardine House (Credit: Bright Hill no.1 Limited / Richmond Council Planning Applications)

The front forecourt in front of and between the buildings includes space for waste and recycling storage and food waste and bulky storage, along with space for the secure and covered storage of up to 18 bicycles. 

There will also be off-street car parking space retained for two car spaces. Areas of soft landscaping are shown for indicative purposes on the plans.

The application has had two objections from local residents who have raised concerns about a loss of light and privacy for neighbouring homes and the adequacy of parking provision.

Richmond Council is yet to make a decision on this application.

You can view the full application here.