Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

PBS8 Mortlake & East Sheen (H)

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

  • Contribute to a sense of activity and vibrancy in the town and neighbourhood centres, retaining the mix of uses including restaurants, cafes and pubs along Sheen Lane and at the junction of Mortlake High Street and White Hart Lane, to maintain a sense of activity and vibrancy, and encourage independent shops and businesses, emphasising local makers and artisans. Encourage reinstatement of shopfronts’ original design to achieve consistency in appearance in East Sheen Town Centre.
  • Enhance the sense of arrival and quality of the public realm at Mortlake Station, including improved accessibility through opportunities for art and wayfinding.
  • Incorporate focal points and establish distinctive landmarks, without recourse to tall buildings, including in East Sheen Town Centre to enhance the sense of place and the area’s identity as a destination, such as the space around the war memorial.
  • Contribute to creating a ‘centre’ for East Sheen at Milestone Green.
  • Enhance the public realm and create public areas for dwelling and “spill-out”, rather than narrow, transient spaces, using high-quality street furniture, and increase greening through tree planting and verges.
  • Ensure new development along the river contributes to its valued leisure functions as well as positively addressing Mortlake High Street. Enhance local distinctiveness around Mortlake Riverside using its relationship with the river and historic industry, and improve the riverside environment.
  • Enhance continuity, connectedness and legibility of the Thames Path route, to improve connectivity with the wider area.
  • At East Sheen Parkside, enhance the quality and biodiversity of East Sheen Common and ensure green infrastructure is physically connected, notably along Fife Road,The Mall and Spencer Gardens, and improve boundary treatments and interface with Christ’s School.
  • Consider opportunities to reduce the perceived dominance of vehicles, promoting active travel with space to create café seating areas and improve pedestrian experience in East Sheen Town Centre and at Mortlake Riverside.

There are site opportunities for new development in this area.Within the town centre boundary there is some potential where the townscape is less intact for development to restore the historic character.The Telephone Exchange and 172-176 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen (Site Allocation 37) is an opportunity - if the telephone exchange is declared surplus to requirements – to contribute to the vitality and viability of the centre via a mixed-use scheme.Towards Mortlake High Street, there is a similar opportunity - if the Mortlake and Barnes Delivery Office, Mortlake (Site Allocation 36) becomes surplus - for employment or other commercial and retail uses.

At Stag Brewery (Site Allocation 35) there is a significant opportunity to create a new quarter for living, with recreational and commercial uses to generate vibrancy, local employment, community and leisure opportunities.The redevelopment should create vibrant links between the River and the town, enlivening the Riverside frontage and Mortlake High Street, to transform Mortlake while respecting the character and history of the area.There is an opportunity to accommodate tall buildings within the sensitivities of the surrounding context, in accordance with Policy 45 Tall and Mid-Rise Building Zones.

At Barnes Hospital (Site Allocation 38) redevelopment is expected to provide a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) school and health centre, along with residential.

See details in the Site Allocations within this area:

  • Stag Brewery, Lower Richmond Road, Mortlake
  • Mortlake and Barnes Delivery Office, Mortlake
  • Telephone Exchange and 172-176 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen
  • Barnes Hospital, East Sheen

For more information please see the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan