There has been an update in the planning application for the controversial Stag Brewery redevelopment.

At the end of July, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove unexpectedly announced that all buildings over 18 metres in height will need a second means of escape. 

As a result of this, the applicants for the Stag Brewery redevelopment have decided to make revisions to the planning application to meet this requirement, before referring the application to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the Stage 2 referral process.

The requirement means that an additional core would be needed within ten buildings on the east of the site, which will result in a considerable loss of residential floor space.

To minimise the impact on the viability of the application and, ultimately, the delivery of affordable housing, some of the proposed office space will be now converted to residential. 

As well as this, the Design Code will also be updated to ensure all buildings on the west side of the site, over 18 metres in height will have a second staircase.

Once these changes have been drawn up they will be submitted to the local planning authority for consideration.

The Stag Brewery redevelopment is a 1,068 home development that is planned for the old Stag Brewery site in Mortlake.

The development includes tower blocks up to nine storeys tall, restaurants, a hotel, a cinema and a 1,200-pupil secondary school. 

Richmond Council's planning committee approved two planning applications making up the scheme, from Reselton Properties Limited, on Wednesday, July 19.

However, residents of the borough have opposed the redevelopment over concerns surrounding the level of affordable housing included in the scheme, the height of the tower blocks and the impact on congested local roads.

As a result of the changes, these revisions will be subject to further consultation and will be referred back to the planning committee at a later date.