Richmond is set for major changes in 2023

One of the biggest changes will be the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in August to cover the whole of the borough.

Major developments in Richmond set to be decided include the Stag Brewery site and the future of Kneller Hall, which was sold by the Ministry of Defence in 2021.

Read more about some of the big changes expected in Richmond this year below.

ULEZ will be expanded to cover the whole borough

Richmond drivers will have to pay £12.50 a day to drive around the borough if their cars do not meet the ULEZ emissions standard from the end of August this year.

The zone currently covers areas in Barnes, Mortlake, East Sheen, North Richmond and Kew but will expand to cover the whole of the borough from August 29.

The scheme targets the most polluting vehicles and was first introduced in central London in 2019, with the aim of reducing air pollution.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is also introducing a scrappage scheme to help disabled and low-income residents, micro businesses and charities replace or retrofit their non-compliant vehicles.

The redevelopment of Ham Close estate could begin

Richmond Council voted to bulldoze and rebuild Ham Close estate with more homes in December last year ahead of referring it to Mr Khan for a final decision.

The revamp would see all 192 flats across 14 blocks on the estate demolished for 452 new homes in blocks up to six storeys tall – including 221 affordable homes.

Residents told councillors in December that they had been hearing about plans to revamp the estate for at least 20 years.

They revealed they are “desperate” for the revamp to happen and claimed existing homes on the estate are plagued by mould and damp.

But the plans caused controversy as some locals living close to the estate raised concerns about the scale of the revamp, traffic problems and local services being overstretched.

Mr Khan can now decide to allow the council’s decision to stand, direct refusal or take over the application.

The first phase of the works is expected to begin in March if the plans get the final go-ahead, according to planning documents.

Decision could be made on the old Stag Brewery site after delay

Controversial plans for the huge revamp of a former Richmond brewery site could be decided this year – including more than 1,000 new homes in blocks up to nine storeys tall, offices, restaurants, shops and a cinema.

More than 340 residents objected to the application on the council’s website, while a separate application for a new secondary school on the site has received more than 240 objections.

Old plans for the site were rejected by Mr Khan in July 2021 and developer Reselton Properties submitted the latest applications earlier last year.

A decision was expected in July, according to the council’s website, but the developer made changes to the plans – including cutting the number of planned homes by 14 – and a fresh consultation is now underway.

Future of Twickenham’s town centre and riverside

Plans to transform Twickenham Riverside after 40 years of uncertainty were approved by the council in November last year but have split thousands of locals.

The scheme is set to see 45 new homes, shops, cafés, open space and a pub built next to the River Thames in Twickenham – connecting the riverside to the town centre.

The council will bulldoze old buildings and a car park on the site for the revamp.

A petition supporting the scheme was signed by more than 3,000 people, but more than 2,500 signed a counter-petition against the plans in just one week.

Objectors raised concerns about moving the Diamond Jubilee Gardens as part of the development and that access to Eel Pie Island would become too difficult.

After the scheme was approved, Lib Dem council leader Gareth Roberts said: “Currently the site is dominated by a car park that doesn’t allow people to make the most of the river or to enjoy the beautiful riverside vistas.

"This scheme will connect the riverside to the town and ensure Twickenham is a thriving town centre for many years to come.”

A public inquiry into the council’s compulsory purchase order of the gardens – required for the works to go ahead – is now set to take place in early summer.

Twickenham Riverside Trust, which has a 125-year lease on the gardens, plans to oppose the purchase order at the inquiry.

An old Ministry of Defence building could become a private school

A massive mansion in Twickenham could become a private school with a swimming pool later this year after the Ministry of Defence sold it in 2021.

Radnor House, owned by Dukes Education, would move its senior school to Kneller Hall and expand to eventually admit up to 1,000 pupils if the plans are approved.

The school aims to open in September 2023.

Dukes Education bought Kneller Hall from the Ministry of Defence in September 2021.

The Grade II listed mansion was home to the Royal Military School of Music for almost 170 years and was built in the 1700s.

Modern buildings on the 30-acre site would be bulldozed under the plans, while Kneller Hall and other buildings would be renovated and converted into the new school.

Radnor House at Pope’s Villa would become a junior school and expand to accommodate up to 300 pupils.