Plans to demolish a row of abandoned garages in Twickenham and replace them with new homes have been approved by Richmond Council, despite objections from nearby residents.

The application, submitted by Yisrael Rubin, sought permission to demolish 20 derelict garages and a one-bedroom flat at Sion Court and redevelop the site to provide five new homes, along with parking.

Under the approved plans, three of the new homes will be one-bedroom flats, with the remaining two offering two bedrooms.

Ahead of the planning committee meeting on 21 January, council officers acknowledged that a similar scheme had previously been refused in 2022 and later dismissed at appeal.

However, officers said the latest proposal had addressed the key concerns raised previously.

Planning officer Kreena Patel said earlier objections focused on the impact on neighbouring homes, trees, future living standards and affordable housing.

"Whilst the principle of redevelopment is established as acceptable, there were concerns principally over impact on neighbours, trees, living standards for future occupiers and affordable housing in the last application," she said.

Officers described the revised scheme as contemporary but modest in scale, with improvements to the communal courtyard including additional soft landscaping, new tree planting and a biodiversity net gain. Patel added that this would significantly improve what is currently a "poor-quality garage area".

Concerns around overshadowing, loss of outlook and privacy for neighbours have been addressed through a reduced building mass and careful placement of windows, alongside conditions requiring obscure glazing and privacy screens where needed.

Council officers also confirmed the new homes meet national space standards, with improved daylight and outlook for future residents compared to the previously refused scheme.

The site includes a protected sycamore tree, which had previously been a major concern. This has now been addressed by removing built form near the tree canopy.

While four low-quality trees will be removed, they will be replaced with nine new trees.

A financial viability review concluded the scheme could not support an affordable housing contribution, meaning none will be required.

Patel said: "Overall, Richmond is under strong pressure to deliver housing. There are various benefits arising from the scheme including the net gain in homes, brownfield redevelopment, improved landscaping for the benefit of all residents of Sion Court, and biodiversity net gain at a level well above the statutory minimum."

Speaking at the meeting, Angela McEwen, a solicitor and owner of a nearby cottage on Ferry Lane, raised concerns about the proximity of the development to her home.

She said one of the proposed units would sit just 40 centimetres from her boundary wall.

"Unit one is so close and so high placed forward that it appears to add an extra house to the existing terrace, causing the terrace irretrievable harm," she said.

Ms McEwen also warned that changes in ground levels could allow direct views from one of the new gardens into her garden and first-floor bedroom.

Another resident, Mr Johnson from Lebanon Park, told councillors the proposal was "not a new or meaningfully improved scheme".

He referenced the planning inspector's decision from December 2023, which found the earlier scheme harmed neighbouring living conditions and provided poor accommodation for future residents.

"Residents are not opposed to development," he said. "We would welcome a well-designed, policy-compliant scheme that improves and integrates sensitively with its surroundings, but this is not that scheme."

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Chris Brady, Director at Savills Planning, said the site currently serves "no meaningful purpose" and that the proposals would deliver "very modest and well-designed development of five new homes and a beautiful landscaped garden for the benefit of all residents".

He said the revised plans respond directly to previous concerns, with reduced massing to lessen the sense of enclosure and protect neighbours' outlook.

Mr Brady also explained that the protected sycamore tree would be safeguarded by setting the building back, and that planting nine new mature trees would deliver a 28 per cent biodiversity net gain.

Addressing concerns about overlooking, he told councillors there would be no rear-facing windows overlooking neighbouring properties, adding that boundary walls would prevent views from gardens.

Following debate, the planning committee voted to approve the application, subject to additional conditions including openable rooflights and a fire safety informative.

Eight councillors voted in favour, with one voting against. To watch the full planning committee meeting from 21 January, click here.