PROPOSALS that could see a radical rebuilding of Richmond Station to include shops, offices and blocks of housing up to eight storeys tall, have been outlined.

The scheme is the most eye-catching of a number of changes to the heart of Richmond included in a draft Local Plan.

Details of the plan, which sets priorities for 15 years, have been published on the Council website and the public are being asked to comment.

It identifies a number of key sites across the borough which are predicted to undergo significant development as soon as the next five years.

A number of telephone exchanges and postal office sites have been identified as ripe for redevelopment.

The Plan gives a priority to the building of new housing, particularly affordable homes, against the background of sky high property prices in the borough.

The document puts the average price for the borough at £702,846, which compares to £510,229 for London as a whole, £458,390 for outer London and £265,668 for the UK. The Borough's ten year housing target is 4,110 homes with up to 1,200 in each of Richmond and Twickenham; 900-1,000 in Teddington and the Hamptons; 800-900 in Barnes and East Sheen; 250-300 in Ham and Petersham; 100-200 in Whitton.

The Council says the new Local Plan is built on the concept of creating '20-minute neighbourhoods'. It said this is 'the idea that our places should be complete, compact, and connected neighbourhoods where most of the things we need for shopping or visiting are an easy walk or cycle away.'

On Richmond Station, the Local Plan appears to suggest it could undergo a similar redevelopment to the one that has already taken place in Twickenham.

It identifies: "Comprehensive redevelopment to provide an improved transport interchange, public realm and an appropriate mix of town centre uses.

"This includes a mix of commercial and community uses, including retail, offices/workspace, and leisure/community use, along with residential on upper floors."

The document states: "This is a key development site and gateway into Richmond town centre, set within the Richmond Central Conservation Area.

"There is a need for a comprehensive approach, including transport interchange improvements - both National Rail and London Underground.

"The station is a designated Building of Townscape Merit, although the visual character lies principally in the façade and booking hall, with the side and rear of the buildings being unattractive and not contributing to the setting."

The plan said a 2021 Urban Design Study labelled the station as 'underwhelming'. It suggested there was an 'opportunity for a landmark building' and points out there is a small area next to the station that falls in a tall building zone.

The plan suggests there is scope for a number of buildings that would be up to 5-6 storeys and one that could be 7-8 storeys.

Other key sites in Richmond identified in the plan for imminent or future development including the House of Fraser store, which is set to be a mix of retail and offices; the Telephone exchange, Spring Terrace; the American University, Queens Road; Homebase site, Manor Road, East Sheen; and Sainsbury's, Lower Richmond Road.

Sites in Twickenham earmarked for change include the Riverside; The Stoop stadium; Richmond College; the St Marys University campus; Twickenham telephone exchange; and Kneller Hall, the former site of the Royal Military Music School, which is set to become a private secondary school.

Among the other key sites identified for development are Kew Retail Park and the closed Teddington police station.

On the need for new housing, the Local Plan states an ambition to ensure that at least 50% of new-builds are 'affordable'.

It states: "Richmond is a borough with a plethora of attributes such as its public parks, the river Thames and thriving centres which make it an attractive place to work and live.

"This results in people from not just London but all over the world wanting to make Richmond their home. However, due to the scarcity of land in the borough and other factors it is now experiencing an acute affordable housing crisis.

"Not enough affordable housing is being built to help alleviate the ever-growing need. Therefore, the Council will do everything in its power to make sure over the plan period we hit the 50% target."

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how important the concept of 'local' is.

"The new draft Local Plan aims to build on this by enhancing local places, whilst still protecting their unique character. It outlines how the borough will change and so it is important that you share your feedback and ensure your voice is heard. We want to set out ambitious policy requirements for new development to ensure it plays a role in responding to future challenges including climate change, affordability, health and wellbeing. Please visit the consultation page and share your comments - your responses will be used to shape the next version of the Plan."

Have your say here.