Planning application to repair part of Ham Gate's iron fence in Richmond Park has been refused by the council due to plans "not adequately" protecting the history of the gates.

Richmond Council has decided to reject The Royal Parks' plans to repair the damaged gate and wall at Richmond Park's Ham Gate Avenue Ham on two days ago (16 September).

The proposals came after a car crashed into the entrance last year on 5 August, resulting in the Met Police arresting one person and leaving two others injured.

Since the incident, the gates remain partly damaged and The Royal Parks submitted a planning application to Richmond Council for its repair on 26 July 2024, which has now been refused.

The council explain that it rejected The Royal Parks' application to replace the damaged cast iron gate with a like for like gate because it failed to provide enough information on how the replacement would preserve the historical interests of the park.

In the planning application, it states: "The application, by reason of its lack of adequate information and justification in regard to replacement gates and repair to the wall, fails to demonstrate that the proposals would not adequately protect the designated heritage assets and thus prejudice their character and appearance.

"The current replacement of authentic fabric with less sympathetic replacement would fail to preserve the special architectural and historic interest and heritage significance on the Richmond Park wall, contrary to Section 16 of the Town Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

"The harm would also cause less than substantial harm to the setting of the Lodge at Ham Gate (Grade II) and Park Gate House (Grade II), contrary to Section 66 of the Town Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

"The application is therefore contrary to the Richmond Local Plan (2018) in particular policies LP1 and LP3, to the Publication Local Plan, in particular policies 28 and 29 as supported by the relevant Supplementary Planning Documents/Guidance, in particular, Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings, Ham and Petersham Village Planning Guidance, Ham Common Conservation Area Statement and Study and the Richmond Park Conservation Area Statement and Study."

The Royal Parks say it will 'continue to work closely' with the Richmond Council to repair the gate (credit: Cesar Medina).

A spokesperson from The Royal Parks told Richmond Nub News: "We place huge importance on carrying out the repairs to Ham Gate to the highest standards.

"The Royal Parks will continue to work closely with partner organisations and Richmond Council to find the most appropriate solution to the repair of Ham Gate."

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