The Planning Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, to discuss several planning applications. The committee resolved to delegate authority to approve three applications: one for a new cafe, public toilets, and cycle hire building at Roehampton Gate Cafe in Richmond Park; another for variations to an approved care home development at the former Hampton Police Station; and a third to increase pupil numbers at Hampton Prep School.

Roehampton Gate Cafe, Richmond Park

The committee resolved to delegate authority to the Head of Development Management to approve the application for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a new cafe, public toilets, and cycle hire building at Roehampton Gate Cafe in Richmond Park. This decision was made subject to the completion of a legal agreement, specific conditions, and informatives outlined in the report. The proposal was considered inappropriate development within Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), but the committee found that very special circumstances existed, with the benefits of the scheme outweighing the harm. These benefits include improved visitor infrastructure, enhanced accessibility, ecological improvements, and support for the visitor economy.

Former Hampton Police Station, Hampton

The committee also resolved to delegate authority to approve the variation of planning approval for the former Hampton Police Station site. This application sought to vary conditions related to approved drawings, green roofs, solar panels, and balcony screens, as well as remove conditions for a wildflower green roof and balcony screen. The approved development is for a registered care home. The committee noted that while there were some changes affecting the rear of the building and a slight increase in impact on the Building of Townscape Merit and Conservation Area, these were considered less than substantial harm and were outweighed by the benefits of the scheme, such as the reduction in the basement size.

Hampton Prep School, Hampton

Finally, the committee resolved to delegate authority to approve the variation of planning approval for Hampton Prep School to allow an increase in pupil numbers from 144 to 176. This decision was made subject to the completion of a legal agreement securing a Travel Plan Performance Deposit/Bond, specific conditions, and informatives. The committee discussed concerns regarding parking, traffic, and residential amenity, noting that while the increase in pupil numbers would lead to more vehicle trips, the impact was deemed not significant enough to warrant refusal. A key condition of approval is the requirement for an updated Travel Plan, including a new survey, to encourage sustainable travel. The committee also expressed concern about the school's engagement with the local community and the potential for inadequate delivery of the Travel Plan targets, leading to the requirement for a performance deposit/bond.