Development sites have been identified across Twickenham to offer homes, a niche food market, a new Cultural Quarter and small cinema.

The eye-catching schemes, which promise significant changes to the heart of Twickenham, are 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 key sites across the borough which are predicted to undergo significant development as soon as the next five years.

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.'

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The Twickenham Riverside Development with a mix of 45 apartments, shops, new public open spaces, a café and pub is the flagship for revitalisation. However, the Local Plan makes clear this is just one of a number of ambitious schemes.

The site of the Telephone Exchange, between Garfield Road and Arragon Road, is identified as being ripe for development.

The Plan states: "If the Telephone Exchange is declared surplus to requirements, the Council supports the mixed use redevelopment of the site to bring forward residential and employment, commercial or retail uses which enhance the community/cultural offering within Twickenham town centre.

"The Council considers there to be a range of commercial and retail uses could be located on the site, such as space for creative industries, an indoor retail/food market, niche retail or a small cinema.

"The optimum location of these uses would be on the ground floor fronting Garfield Road, to extend the town centre offer and enhance the Twickenham Cultural Quarter."

The Plan envisages that the Stoop stadium – home to Harlequins – will be expanded and developed.

It states: "Appropriate additional facilities including a new north stand, indoor leisure, hotel or business uses as well as residential including affordable housing may be supported provided that they are complementary to the

main use of the site as a sports ground.

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"The Council is committed to working in partnership with Harlequins RFC to develop a Masterplan, which should set out the long-term strategy for development of this site."

The Plan suggests there is also scope to further redevelop the neighbouring Richmond College site to include affordable housing.

The Council also envisages the expansion of the St Mary's University campus.

It states: "A Masterplan and/or site development brief, which encompasses the main campus in Strawberry Hill as well as Teddington Lock, together with new estates and student accommodation strategies, will be prepared in conjunction with the Council."

Kneller Hall, the former home of the Royal Military School, is set to be transformed into a new private secondary school. The Council has suggested that part of the land could be dedicated to housing.

Sites in Richmond identified for imminent or future development include a major redevelopment of the Station, which could mirror the redevelopment seen in Twickenham.

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.