Scheme will offer over 50% affordable new homes

A new housing scheme to be built on the site of a former college in London has been given unanimous approval by the council.

The application is for 212 new homes, including 100 new affordable homes, on the location of the former Richmond-upon-Thames College.  

The development arm of Clarion Housing Group, Latimer, will demolish the ex-campus buildings before constructing the new sustainable mixed-tenure scheme.

The developer acquired part of the Egerton Road campus from the college back in 2018, before submitting initial plans for the site.

It then submitted a revised planning application to boost the total number of homes at the scheme from 180 to 212 and increase the proportion of affordable homes from 19% to 51%. The revised proposals were unanimously approved by councillors in August 2022.

The developer will build 28 homes for affordable rent and a further 80 for shared ownership. The remaining 104 homes will be sold privately.

The new homes form part of the borough’s wider £80m college project which also includes a replacement college campus, two new schools, an extended sports hall and a science hub.

Students moved into the new campus on Langhorn Drive in Spring 2020.

Latimer’s approval for the new housing scheme will now facilitate further progress on the wider project – with construction work on the new homes expected to start early next year.

The ‘net zero carbon compatible’ homes will be built with high levels of insulation and ventilation efficiency, with any carbon emissions offset by energy generated by photovoltaic solar panels.

Biodiversity will be boosted through wildlife-friendly landscaping, rain gardens and an ecological corridor of new trees and shrubs.

Richard Cook, group director of development at Clarion Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to gain planning consent to build this highly sustainable scheme in Richmond, delivering vital new affordable homes to local people in the borough.

“We are passionate about making our homes and communities fit for the future. Delivering net zero carbon homes in Richmond will not only make a significant positive impact to the environment but also help residents reduce their energy bills – at a time when this has never been more important.”