A South West London Homebase could soon be bulldozed for a controversial new housing development.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is expected to give a final decision on tower block plans for the site in Manor Road, Richmond, after taking over the application from Richmond Council.
The plans from developer Avanton Richmond will see 453 homes built across tower blocks up to 11 storeys tall with retail and office space at the bottom.
An earlier version of the application was thrown out by Richmond Council in 2019.
But the Mayor took over and approved the revised development in 2020 subject to a Section 106 agreement being completed which has a deadline of September 30.
Almost 800 Richmond locals have objected to the scheme, with concerns it will be an “eyesore” and “monstrosity”.
Residents hoping to block the plans wrote to the secretary of state for housing for a second time in June asking for the application to be called in.
A planning statement with the revised application said: “The amended proposed development will deliver a number of significant benefits including the delivery of new homes including affordable homes, a reduced number of car trips arising from car free development, improvements to air quality associated with a reduction in road traffic emissions, economic benefits, a contribution to community infrastructure under CIL and a new high-quality public realm.”
Responding to the new application, hundreds of residents have objected to the plans, raising fears about more traffic on congested roads, the buildings being too tall and local facilities not being able to cope.
In a letter to Richmond Council, Kasia Berkowski wrote: “There are absolutely no developments of this size [or] scale in Richmond.
"It is a clear abnormality to the area. Manor Road already has an incredible amount of traffic caused by the train crossing, not enough adequate parking with narrow streets in the area and to think it could possibly support an extra 500-plus people is absurd.
"The prosed development has inadequate parking facilities and buses in this area already operate a reduced service.
"How do you intend to facilitate these extra 500-plus people?
“If there is to be a housing development on the Homebase plot of land it needs to be complimentary to the local area and supported by the residents who currently live here.
"There needs to be adequate parking and green spaces added.”
Roz Kadir warned traffic is “already at its limit”.
She said: “Increasing the residential properties in this area is a huge mistake.
"There’s not enough infrastructure in medical practices, schools etc and the loss of light to those already living in the area and reduction in quality of life makes this development untenable.”
Chris Giles said the blocks will be out of place and the development would “feel oppressive in such a tight space”.
Caroline Davis added: “I object to this proposal on the grounds that the density of housing proposed is too much given that this local area is already clogged up with endless traffic jams and all the pollution that creates.”
Avanton has been contacted for comment.
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