Policy information sourced from Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

LP 42 Industrial Land and Business

Parks

The borough has a very limited supply of industrial floorspace and demand for this type of land is high. Therefore the Council will protect, and where possible enhance, the existing stock of industrial premises to meet local needs.

Retention of industrial space

A. There is a presumption against loss of industrial land in all parts of the borough.

Loss of industrial space (outside of the locally important industrial land and business parks) will only be permitted where:

  • Robust and compelling evidence is provided which clearly demonstrates that there is no longer demand for an industrial 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 use or an alternative industrial 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 office or alternative employment uses.
  • Mixed use including other employment generating or community uses, and residential providing it does not adversely impact on the other uses and maximises the amount of affordable housing delivered as part of the mix.

Locally important industrial land and business parks

B. The Council has identified locally important industrial land and business parks (as set out in the supporting text and Appendix 6). In these areas:

  • loss of industrial floorspace will be resisted unless appropriate replacement floorspace is provided;
  • development of new industrial floorspace and improvement and expansion of existing premises is encouraged; and
  • proposals for non-industrial uses will be resisted where the introduction of such uses would impact unacceptably on industrial activities (which may include waste sites).

New industrial space

C. Development of appropriate scale industrial uses, and improvement and expansion of such premises, is encouraged. New industrial space should be flexible and adaptable for different types of activities and suitable to meet future needs, especially to provide for the requirements of local businesses.

For more information please see the Local Plan