The Planning Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Wednesday 24 June 2026 to discuss a planning application for a property at 8 Ellesmere Road, Twickenham. The committee approved the application for a part single, part two-storey side and rear extension, roof extension with roof lights, and the removal of a chimney.

8 Ellesmere Road, Twickenham

The committee considered a planning application for a part single, part two-storey side and rear extension, roof extension with roof lights, and the removal of a chimney at 8 Ellesmere Road, Twickenham. The application was called in by Councillor Julia Neden-Watts due to concerns about design, neighbour amenity, and trees.

During the meeting, several public speakers addressed the committee. Heather Harrison spoke on behalf of her neighbour, Leah Van Bekhoeven, expressing concerns about the significant increase in the house's volume and scale, arguing it was not a modest change and could set a precedent for future developments on Ellesmere Road. Christopher Martin, another neighbour, echoed these concerns, highlighting the material impact of a five-metre wall and a two-storey extension on his family's living conditions and the street's character. Mikaela Hedin, the applicant, and Bryan Staff, a planning consultant, presented the revised scheme, emphasising that they had listened to neighbours' feedback and made material changes, including reducing the depth of the two-storey rear extension and setting back the side extension. They argued the proposal complied with local planning policies and was compatible with the area's character.

The Planning Officer, Emer Costello, provided an overview of the application and responded to questions from the committee. She clarified that while the proposed two-storey rear extension was large, it was a modest reduction compared to what could be built under permitted development rights. The committee discussed the impact on neighbouring properties, particularly regarding daylight, sunlight, and the sense of enclosure. Councillor John Coombs noted the frustration that permitted development rights allowed for extensions that might not align with the council's own Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), but acknowledged that the current application represented a slight improvement on the permitted development option. Councillor Penelope Frost expressed a hope that the applicant and neighbours could engage in further dialogue to ensure everyone felt more comfortable with the development.

Ultimately, the committee voted to delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Place Planning to approve the application, subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the report, as well as additional conditions regarding rooflights. The decision was based on the understanding that the proposed development, despite its scale, was considered to be in keeping with the urban grain and topography of the area, and that the revised scheme offered some improvements compared to the permitted development rights. The committee also noted that many of the neighbours' concerns related to the two-storey element, which was already permissible under permitted development rights, and that the current application had made some concessions.

The meeting also included the confirmation of the minutes from the 18 March 2026 Planning Committee meeting. No declarations of interest were made by the committee members present.