Plans have been submitted to Richmond Council for the "Construction of one additional storey to provide five additional residential flats" at Riverside Court in Teddington.

An application document by Savills writes: "On behalf of Alexander Brook Properties Ltd ("the Applicant"), I write to submit details pursuant to Prior Approval for the construction of one additional storey comprising 5 dwellinghouses (Use Class C3) above Riverside Court, River Reach, Teddington, TW11 9QN ("the Site") located within the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames ("LBR" / "the Council"), under Schedule 2, Part 20, Class A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (Consolidated September 2023)."

It added: "The Site comprises a six storey plus lift overrun residential building accommodating 30 flats, located on River Reach.

"The existing residential building is constructed of red brick, with the façade finished with white render.

"The façade also features projecting metal balconies. The Site has a PTAL score of 0. This is considered the lowest level of accessibility available across PTAL ratings and is partly due to the fact that the Site is located adjacent to the River Thames.

"The River Thames acts as a barrier to public transport accessibility as bus/cycle/pedestrian routes are limited.

"Having said this, the Site is located approximately 1 mile from Teddington and Hampton Wick Stations which provide access to National Rail services to destinations including London Waterloo and Shepperton. 

"The Site also benefits from good access to multiple local designated open green spaces. Broom Road Recreation Ground is located 0.6 miles (13-minute walk) from the Site and Langdon Park is located 0.9 miles (17-minute walk) from the Site.  

"The Site is located in Flood Zone 3, meaning that there is a high probability of flooding from rivers and the sea. The Site is not located within a Critical Drainage Area."

Existing vs Proposed Elevations (Credit: Urbanist Architecture)

Applications for the "Construction of one additional storey to provide 5 additional residential flats" and for "Two additional storeys on top of the current building, to add eight 2-bedroom 4 person flats and two 2-bedroom 3 person flats" were refused in March 2024 and December 2021.

Savills' application document said: "The Prior Approval and Appeal were both refused with the singular reason of 'external appearance'.

"The Council and Planning Inspector considered that the addition of two storeys would result in the building being overly dominant in the street scene and to the setting of the Broom Water Conservation Area.

"In response to the Council's and the Inspector's reason for refusal, the proposals were revised to a singular set back storey which would be constructed above the topmost residential storey around the existing lift overrun, meaning that the overall height of the building would not increase.

"Accordingly, a Prior Approval application was submitted (Ref. 23/2511/GPH01) ("the 2024 Prior Approval Application") and was subsequently refused on 04 March 2024."

The current proposal "comprises the construction of one additional storey of residential floorspace immediately above the existing topmost residential storey principal part of the building. 

Savills said in its application letter: "As noted above, the application proposes a singular set back storey which will be constructed to the same height as the existing lift overrun, meaning that the overall height of the building will not increase.

"This will deliver 5 additional residential units. The proposed residential units consist of 3 x 1 bedroom 2 person and 2 x 2-bedroom 3 person flats. 

"The external facades to the new floor will use materials which complement the existing façade. The set back storey will be constructed of light zinc cladding panels with light bronze aluminium detailing and frames. White render will also be used to match the existing parapet."

CGI of the proposed site (Credit: Urbanist Architechture)

The application has already received four objections from residents at Riverside Court and Broomwater.

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

You can view the full application here.