Plans to knock down 192 homes on a West London estate and replace them with 452 homes have been put forward. Developer Hill Residential has applied for planning permission to build the new homes across tower blocks up to six storeys tall on Ham Close in Richmond.

Ham Close is owned by housing association Richmond Housing Partnership and Richmond Council. The buildings on the estate today were built in the 1960s next to Ham Village Green. The 143 affordable homes for rent on the existing estate will be replaced, along with 78 extra new affordable homes.

A statement submitted with the plans says the redevelopment aims to "provide more and better homes that local people can afford". It says: "The flats at Ham Close are of poor construction, with poor insulation by today's standards. Many have condensation/damp issues. In addition, there are no private gardens, terraces or lifts, leaving a number of flats inaccessible to people with disabilities."

An additional statement says: "The existing youth centre is well-used but is subject to inefficient running costs and notable maintenance. Further, the existing building requires key holders to be present at all times to hire spaces out to other user groups due to the inadequate layout and safeguarding issues.

"As such, the proposed bespoke design aims to provide multifunctional rooms and spaces for a variety of activities. These can be used not only by the residents of Ham Close but also the wider community and specialist groups beyond Ham."

Credit: https://www.hamclose.co.uk/proposal

The homes on the new development would range from one-bed flats to five-bed homes. The Ham Youth Club and community workshop space Richmond Makerlabs would also be replaced under the proposals. There will be a further 809 cycle spaces, 268 car parking spaces and 17 disability spaces on the site, along with new walking and cycling routes through Ham Close.

The revenue from the project would be used by Richmond Council to build a new games area at St Richard's Church of England Primary School, according to the documents. A £2 million fund for local projects, providing £250,000 a year for eight years, would also be set up under the plans.

Residents will be given the option to stay on the estate. The redevelopment would take place in phases, with building works expected to begin in early 2023 if the plans are approved. Richmond Council will make the final decision on the proposals later this year.