Policy information sourced from Twickenham Area Action Plan
TWP2 Policy for Employment in Twickenham
The Council will
- Continue to ensure the retention of the existing supply of office floor space in order to meet the forecast demand
- Continue to operate policies in Twickenham to protect and encourage new high quality office and industrial premises as set out in policies CP 19 and DM EM 2
- Retain existing B2/B8 employment land unless it is inherently unsuitable for employment uses or where appropriate permit a change of use to B1 or B1/mixed uses
- Continue to support and encourage proposals for the refurbishment of existing employment premises and to upgrade both their external appearance and internally to meet modern day requirements
- Consider proposals to bring unsuitable or under-utilised office space above shops into residential use
- The intensification of office floor space if existing employment sites are redeveloped will be encouraged in line with policies CP19 and DM EM1, subject to local character.
Justification
This policy continues to support the retention of land and premises in employment and seeks to encourage owners to create new or upgrade existing premises to improve their outer appearance where necessary and modernise the interiors to meet future requirements. Redevelopments may involve the creation of a mixed use scheme, where the quantum of space in employment use should be retained or increased – see also Core Policy CP 19 and Development Management Plan Policy DM EM1. The policy allows change of use including to residential (subject to DM EM2) where space is vacant, underutilised and unsuitable for modern needs. Relevant town centre, employment and environmental policies within the Core Strategy and Development Management Plan will also apply. River related industries are already protected under Core Policy CP11.
For more information please see the Action Plan