A planning application to convert the first-floor office space of St Andrews House, Richmond, into a flat was rejected by Richmond Council, sparking strong reactions from local residents.

The proposal, submitted by Margaret Lyons, sought to create a 66-square-metre one-bedroom flat on Upper Ham Road, featuring a living room, dining area, kitchen, and bathroom.

However, Richmond Council refused the application, citing concerns over the loss of office space, lack of affordable housing contribution, and failure to meet sustainability standards.

In the official decision report, Richmond Council's Head of Development Management, Robert Angus, stated: "In the absence of a legal agreement to secure an appropriate contribution towards off-site affordable housing, the scheme fails to address the recognised housing need...

"In the absence of adequate justification to demonstrate that office use or other employment/community-related uses are unviable on the site, the proposal results in harm to the borough's stock of office and employment floorspace, to the detriment of local needs...

"In the absence of an adequate energy report detailing a minimum of 35% on-site carbon savings, as well as an adequate BREEAM assessment, the proposals fail to meet the council's requirements for achieving sustainable design and development."

Mrs Lyons, however, defended the application, stating that the office space had been actively marketed for over two years, yet no viable tenants had been found.

"The extended period of marketing, combined with the consistent lack of interest, highlights the unsuitability of this property for office use," she said.

"Conversion to residential use is a logical and necessary solution that aligns with local housing needs and will ensure the property is effectively utilised."

Resident Reactions

The decision has prompted a wave of reactions from residents on social media, particularly on Nextdoor, with many questioning the council's stance.

Harriet Whitby from Richmond Town said: "That's crazy. I mean if the property has been vacant for five years that just seems like a waste, doesn't it? Lovely little location too, opposite the common."

Mike Hill from Latchmere called it a "ridiculous rejection," while Pat Rigby from Teddington Park added: "Come on, it's Richmond Council! Of course it's a ridiculous refusal."

Others argued that the council had valid reasons for its decision. Laurence Mann from St Margarets noted that the refusal was based on multiple policy failures: "It is worth reading the officer's report which recommends refusal.

"On the face of it, it looks as if the application had a number of defects.

"The marketing evidence was seen as thin, for some reason there was no offer of the modest affordable housing contribution which would have followed, and the evidence in relation to the energy efficiency of the unit was lacking in sufficient detail.

"All these things mean that the applicant can go back and have another go when they get their act in order."

Johannes Haug from Hammersmith Bridge and Lower Mall criticised the decision, calling it "a true absurdity."

"It is clearly bonkers to reject an application to convert a former residential unit back to what it was before.

"As far as I know, there is a great need for housing. As a result of this decision, further years of vacancy will result for what could be a residence.

"Trying to extort a social housing contribution for allowing a commercial unit of 66m² to be restored to its former use from a private landlord also seems greedy in the extreme. Everybody loses as a result of this decision!"

Meanwhile, Angela Izard from Ham, who previously worked in the office space, reflected on its history: "This used to be my old office. I worked in there from 2006 to 2020, but COVID happened, and we all had to work from home, and that was that, sadly.

"But a beautiful location and loved working there! It was at one time residential but was converted to office space."

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