Richmond upon Thames
Planning & Building Contacts

Key planning considerations: Over 40 conservation areas including Richmond Town Centre, Twickenham Riverside, Ham, Petersham and East Sheen. Kew Royal Botanic Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - development affecting its setting requires careful heritage impact assessment. Richmond Park is a Royal Park, SSSI and Special Area of Conservation. Green Belt covers substantial areas in the south of the borough. The Thames flood plain affects riverside properties in Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and Hampton - Flood Zones 2 and 3 apply widely. Pre-application advice is strongly recommended for any non-trivial project.

Building regulations approval required for most structural work, extensions, loft conversions, new windows and heating system changes. You can use either the council's building control service or a private Approved Inspector. For listed buildings, building control must be coordinated with Listed Building Consent requirements.

Richmond upon Thames has one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings and conservation areas in London. Kew Royal Botanic Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - any development that could affect its setting, views or character requires a Heritage Impact Assessment and Historic England will be a key consultee. Ham House (Grade I, National Trust) and Hampton Court Palace (on the borough boundary) are significant heritage assets affecting planning in their wider settings. Listed Building Consent is required for any works to a listed building in addition to planning permission.

Flood risk is a significant consideration across Richmond upon Thames. Large areas of Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton and the riverside communities lie within Flood Zones 2 and 3. A Flood Risk Assessment is required for most new development in these zones. Riverside properties and those near Beverley Brook, Crane and Hogsmill tributaries should be checked carefully. The borough council acts as Lead Local Flood Authority for surface water and ordinary watercourse flooding.