Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

PBS4 Whitton & Heathfield (D)

Future development in this place is expected, where relevant, to:

  • Conserve the consistency and suburban quality of the area, retaining and restoring front gardens and boundary walls as an important characteristic that provides consistency to the streetscene.
  • Consider opportunities to reduce the dominance of cars and promote active travel; improve permeability and create space for pedestrians; introduce measures to improve cycling safety and air quality.
  • Embrace the Crane River valley character in adjoining urban spaces by implementing appropriate planting palettes and wayfinding.
  • Contribute to enhancing the sense of arrival and quality of the public realm at Whitton Station, identifying opportunities for art, wayfinding, and public realm.
  • Contribute to opportunities to provide space for dwelling and encourage village events such as markets or regular cultural events in the High Street or in other suitable areas such as parks and open spaces; including temporary pedestrianisation of roads to enable “spill-out” from restaurants, cafés and pubs, and restoring and maintaining street trees and planters.
  • In areas deficient in access to Public Open Space, consider opportunities to improve access to existing spaces; either through design and public realm improvements, or where opportunities arise, provide new publicly accessible open space. Open spaces that are currently not publicly accessible, such as Kneller Hall, will be encouraged to make them available for public access and use.

Within the town centre boundary, the Telephone Exchange (Site Allocation 20) provides a redevelopment opportunity to provide for employment and social infrastructure use, increasing permeability to the High Street, with some opportunity in the identified mid-rise zone in Whitton Town Centre in accordance with Policy 45 Tall and Mid-Rise Building Zones.There is an opportunity to create a sense of identity through future landmark developments, enhanced public realm, and gateway features at either end of Whitton High Street. Shopfronts, including signage and canopies, should be in keeping with the 1930s character, and original shopfronts should be retained, reinstated and enhanced (in accordance with the shopfront guidance in the Whitton and Heathfield Village Planning Guidance SPD).

At Kneller Hall (Site Allocation 21) there is an opportunity to create a mixed use “quarter” bringing new homes, employment and community uses, including in the identified mid-rise zone in accordance with Policy 45 Tall and Mid-Rise Building Zones.This will be set within the protected landscape and heritage significance of the Grade II listed Hall and MOL, with the opportunity to open up community access, including a new public park offering recreation and leisure as well as informal play and wildlife habitats.

At Whitton Community Centre (Site Allocation 22) there is an opportunity to reprovide community facilities (the existing community centre and pharmacy) with affordable housing above, to provide modern facilities for the elderly and wider local community.

See details in the Site Allocations within this area:

  • Telephone Exchange, Ashdale Close, Whitton
  • Kneller Hall, Whitton
  • Whitton Community Centre, Percy Road, Whitton

For more information please see the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan