A planning application has been proposed to demolish a former car dealership building at Sandycombe Road, Kew and replace it with three new residential properties. 

Planning documents describe the building as tired and dated, with the scheme proposing three high-quality, environmentally sustainable homes to help meet housing demand in the borough.

The statement argues that the property is no longer suitable for modern business, having been vacant since 2015, there is little demand for commercial occupation. 

It states: "The most logical and sensible use on this site would be to redevelop it for residential purposes, for which we believe there would be strong demand."

The application also highlights that higher-quality office space is available elsewhere across the borough, often providing facilities such as communal working areas, cafe's and gyms that cannot be accommodated at the smaller Sandycombe Road site.

Richmond Council have received six objections to the application, with residents raising concerns about their loss of daylight, privacy and the scale of the development.

Resident, William Oliver, who lives opposite the site, said the proposal could have a significant impact on his living conditions.

He said: "Given my position at ground level, this impact would be disproportionate and harmful to my living conditions.

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"The development would create an increased sense of enclosure and overshadowing that does not currently exist."

Another resident, Sophie Hudson, believes that the proposed design does not reflect the Victorian villas that characterise the surrounding area.

Hudson also raised concerns about disruption during construction, she said: "Frequent large vehicles accessing the site would block local traffic and make the pavements unsafe for pedestrians."

Hudson added that construction could cause delays to the 110 bus route, which runs along Sandycombe Road, and could also affect local residents.

Geoffrey Dobbie, another local resident said: "None of the drawings show the actual height of the proposed development." 

Dobbie claims that "using the scale on the drawing, the approximate height of the proposed development is 18 metres. This is more than twice the height of the neighbouring properties and if approved, it would allow a 6 story development." 

Alongside the complaints, the planning application includes a daylight and sunlight report which concludes that neighbouring homes would not be significantly affected.

A site inspection carried out last year reported the building to be in very poor condition, with signs of long-term neglect and damage caused by a substantial pigeon infestation.

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Earlier proposals for the site were criticised for being overly dominant within the street scene.

The latest proposal has been redesigned in response to those concerns.

The development would now be two storeys in height with additional accommodation within the roof space, and the basement has been removed entirely.

The revised plans also show a more traditional roof form and a reduced rear extension so that the building does not extend as far back as earlier proposals.

Richmond Council is expected to make a decision on the application by the 2nd of April.

The application can be viewed here.