Richmond Council has rejected plans to create a flat above a commercial unit on Church Street, with the site still empty as of today (Thursday, 29 October).

An application to build a two-bedroom flat at 21 Church Street, Twickenham, has been refused by planning officers.

The proposal, submitted by Morhiby Investment Ltd, included extending the first and second floors at the rear of the existing flat, alongside the installation of roof lights and solar panels.

Planning officers raised six reasons for refusal, including concerns that the proposed homes would have "limited" natural light and provide a "poor standard" of accommodation.

The council also said the extension would be overbearing for neighbouring residents and harm the character of the Twickenham Riverside Conservation Area.

Officers concluded the design would also "harm" the setting of a nearby Grade II listed building and a building identified as being of townscape merit.

Other concerns included the absence of an affordable housing contribution, a lack of an agreement to prevent future occupiers from obtaining on-street parking permits, and insufficient measures to secure a zero-carbon development.

The council said it was willing to discuss the proposal with the applicants through its pre-application service to help inform a potential revised application, although an application has not been made at the site since.

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To read the plans in full click here.

READ MORE: 'Unforeseen circumstances' sees Twickenham takeaway temporarily shut.

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