Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

Policy 14 Loss of Housing

A. Existing housing should be retained. The net loss of existing affordable housing units – overall and in terms of social rented housing – will be resisted. Existing larger houses in multiple accommodation (HMOs) will be protected where they are of a reasonable standard. Loss of hostels, staff accommodation, and shared and supported accommodation that meet an identified housing need should be satisfactorily re-provided to an equivalent or better standard. A change of use from housing to short-stay holiday rental accommodation to be used for more than 90 days a year will be resisted.

B. Proposals for reversions and conversions should assess the suitability of the property, environmental and design considerations. Proposals should avoid a detrimental impact on existing housing supply.

C. Redevelopment of existing housing should normally only take place where:

  1. it has first been demonstrated that the existing housing is incapable of improvement or conversion to a satisfactory standard to provide an equivalent scheme (considering embodied carbon and the circular economy); and, if this is the case
  2. In accordance with London Plan Policy H8, existing housing should be replaced by new housing at existing or higher densities with at least the equivalent level of overall floorspace;
  3. the proposal will result in demonstrable environmental, transport or parking benefits;
  4. the proposal does not have an adverse impact on local character and streetscene, according with Policy 28 ‘Local Character and Design Quality (Strategic Policy)’; and
  5. the proposal provides a satisfactory standard of accommodation, including accessible design, as set out in Policy 13 ‘Housing Mix and Standards ‘.

For more information please see the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan