Work to turn a car park near Twickenham Station into a six-storey block of flats is now underway, nearly three years after planning permission was first granted.

In March 2021 Richmond Council signed off on Solum Regeneration's plans to turn the Old Station Forecourt into a block of 46 flats.

However, little movement on the Railway Approach project has been made since, with only preparatory work getting underway at the start of 2024.

An artist's impression of the new development (image via planning application)

When initial planning permission was granted, the developer was given three years to start construction.

And now Solum has had to prove to the council work has begun on site - with a water main having now been diverted.

The local authority has said it is satisfied work has begun within the approved timeframe, meaning the full development can still go ahead as planned.

No full timeline of when it will be completed has been submitted.

Solum Regeneration was involved in the regeneraion of Twickenham Station (Image by Ollie Monk)

Plans signed off in 2021 said: "The proposals also make more efficient use of previously developed land and provide new, high quality residential accommodation which would sit comfortably within the existing urban context and complement the changing nature of the area surrounding Twickenham Station."

The original application shows the development will include 38 one-bed flats and eight two-bed flats.

Five of the flats will be wheelchair accessible and there will only be two parking spaces (both disabled) provided with the flats.

A photograph of the site taken in early 2024 (image via planning application)

Solum Regeneration is a joint venture between Kier Property and Network Rail which has completed a number of developments across South West London - including the regeneration of Twickenham Station.

The land, owned by Network Rail, once bordered the former site of Twickenham Station. It has been used as a car park since the mid 1990's.

The site itself is also allocated for residential development in the Twickenham Action Area Plan