Policy information sourced from Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

LP 41 Offices

The Council will support a strong local economy and ensure there is a range of office premises within the borough, particularly for small and medium size business activities within the borough’s centres, to allow businesses to grow and thrive.

Retention of offices

A. There is a presumption against the loss of office floorspace in all parts of the borough.

Any loss of office space (on sites outside the designated Key Office Areas) will only be permitted where:

  • Robust and compelling evidence is provided which clearly demonstrates that there is no longer demand for an office based use in this location and that there is not likely to be in the foreseeable future. This must include evidence of completion of a full and proper marketing exercise of the site at realistic prices both for the existing office use or an alternative office-based use completed over a minimum period of two continuous years in accordance with the approach set out in Appendix 5; and then
  • A sequential approach to redevelopment or change of use is applied as follows:
    • Redevelopment for alternative employment uses including social or community infrastructure uses; followed by
    • Mixed use including other employment generating or community uses and residential which maximises the amount of affordable housing provided as part of the mix; followed by
    • Residential with maximum provision of affordable housing in accordance with policy LP 36 Affordable Housing.
  • Low cost office spaces should be retained to meet the requirements of small businesses, start-ups and the voluntary sector. Utilising premises above shops in the borough’s centres for office occupation is encouraged as a source of lower cost office provision.

Key Office Areas

C. In the designated Key Office Areas, as shown on the Policies Map, net loss of office floorspace will not be permitted. Any development proposals for new employment or mixed use floorspace should contribute to a net increase in office floorspace where feasible. Criteria 1 and 2 in A (above) do not apply to the Key Office Areas.

New offices

D. The Council will support appropriate new office development by the following means:

  • Major new office development should generally be within the five main borough centres.
  • Smaller scale office development will be encouraged in suitable locations, particularly within the designated Key Office Areas.
  • New office accommodation should be suitable to meet future needs, especially to provide for the requirements of local businesses and small firms.
  • Design of office floorspace for flexible occupation and modern methods of working such as co-working space is encouraged.
  • The Council will require the provision of affordable office space within all major developments with over 1000sqm of office space; this will be secured through Planning Obligations.

For more information please see the Local Plan