Residents are raising concerns about the work being done on new townhouses in Teddington.

Developer MBA Planning received planning permission from the council back in March 2024 for the erection of a terrace of three, four-bedroom townhouses and associated parking, access and landscaping on a 26-space private car park on Elfin Grove.

However, the planning proposals were later amended to permit an additional bedroom, and one resident, who will be referred to as Ms X, told Nub News that the work carried out on the development thus far does not match what was outlined in the proposals.

She explained that the work began over a year ago, and while she does not oppose the development, she is not happy with the work that has been done so far.

Speaking on behalf of the residents of Elfin Grove, Ms X said: "We're really happy to see the site being developed and nobody objected to the planning permission because development is always good, but as it's been put up, it's just not what they [the developer] have planning permission for.

"They have changed all the windows and the door finishes, and I think it will affect the appeal of the road as we're just outside the conservation area - literally on the other side of the road."

She continued: "The thing is that they had loads of really nice detailing and sash windows and stonework around them, which are likely to be really expensive, but these have not been built.

"One of the builders actually said that the finished townhouses will go for £1.4million, but what has been done so far looks really cheap."

Ms X explained that the developer has now taken away the proposed gardens and added two extra parking spaces.

She said: "But I don't actually oppose the additional parking spaces as parking on our road is a nightmare.

"So, although it's going to look a little less attractive, it will help with our parking issues. But the windows honestly look like someone found them in a skip and stuck them on there, so they're really, really awful."

Ms X said that her property and the other properties on Elfin Grove are heritage listed.

She added: "I'm really concerned that the developer is going to get away with the changes.

"Our building is the original Teddington Memorial Hospital, and all of the houses on the road are heritage houses - the planning permission that they got was for a house which was sympathetic to this area.

"But what they're building has really skimped on the details. It's just not going to look nice and will actually detract from the area.

"They have an opportunity to do it well and have done nice brickwork, but the windows and the door finishings are so very different from what they got planning permission for, and I don't even know what the inside looks like.

"The longer they continue, the more costly it will be for them to rectify it, leaving the road with an absolute eyesore for the next 100 plus years."

Ms X said that she has had several conversations with Richmond Council's planning enforcement officers about the matter, whom she said "have been good".

However, she said, the work is almost done, and the council has not done anything to help yet.

In an email response to Ms X's concerns, Luca Haennel, one of Richmond Council's planning enforcement officers, said: "I am inclined to agree with you. On the basis of approval, weight was given to the importance of ensuring architectural and streetscene sensitivity.

"Unfortunately, I will need the opinion of the Officer until further progression is made. I apologise for the delay on that front."

He continued: "The developer has already been notified that should they continue works without rectifying these discrepancies, it is at their own risk and formal enforcement action will be taken as deemed necessary by the Planning Enforcement Team in order to rectify the matter."

In a second email, Haennel added: "Last I heard from the developer is that they plan to submit a material amendment to the applications, which is within their rights.

"The Council and by extension the case officer who oversaw the original application has suggested that this will most likely not be approved.

"The developer has been told plainly that I will seek action should they continue with the unlawful development (in this case, if the material amendment is refused permission).

"On this basis, I am awaiting the outcome of the aforementioned submission and will take enforcement action as necessary in order to ensure that the plans correspond with the works as-built."

The developer is yet to submit its proposed amendments to the planning register.

A Richmond Council spokesperson told Nub News: "Richmond Council is aware of the case and a planning enforcement officer has been in touch with the developer. The applicant has decided to retrospectively apply for the changes to the windows and doors via a planning application. This new application will then be reviewed by the local planning authority."

The full planning application can be viewed here.

Nub News has contacted MBA Planning for comment.