Planning Application
You can view the planning application online here
Summary
Residents of Old Palace Lane wanted to sell their big house with a double garden, and use the proceeds to build an eco-friendly house for their retirement in half the garden they kept. The house is right next to Richmond Palace so the issues were not only garden-grabbing; but also awful design; ruining the Conservation Area; and no consideration of what archaeological treasures might be found in the Palace garden.
Also pivotal and what the Council probably cared most about were the loss of loads of trees, and inadequate parking. (Any new house requires a maximum of one parking space. This would have left the old six-bedroomed house with no garage and no resident parking permit.)
What has helped the neighbours fighting the application was copying the plans and going door-to-door to rally opposition; providing a draft letter for neighbours to send to the planning department; contacting their local councillor for advice and enlisting Richmond Society, influential figures, politicians such as Zac Goldsmith, the Crown Estate and English Heritage to oppose the plan. The neighbours have defeated two revised applications and wait for the outcome of the third.
Residents Campaign - Also see Noticeboard! - show your opposition!!!
Local residents campaigning against the controversial plans for the building of a new house in one of the gardens in the historic centre of Richmond have not given up.
Although they lost last Thursday, April 16th in a vote of 4 to 5 at the Council's planning committee they will keep up their fight.
Please support their cause! for further information visit our Noticeboard
PRESS RELEASE -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --- 14 APRIL 2009
The 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's coronation may be marred by a controversial plan to build a so called "eco-house" right next to Richmond Palace. The house has been described as "nuclear bungalow" by campaigners against the plan.
Richmond Council Planning Committee will decide on Thursday evening April 16 at 6:30 p.m. whether to give the house the go-ahead. Their planning officials have not only recommended that the house be built, but "welcome" it.
This is despite opposition from environmental campaigner and prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Richmond Park Zac Goldsmith; local MP Susan Kramer; the Crown Estate, which owns the historic palace, grounds and houses, which adjoin the house; the Richmond Society (the local architectural preseration group) and massive public opposition.
ZAC GOLDSMITH IN A LETTER TO THE COUNCIL IN JULY SAID "APPROVAL OF THESE PLANS IN RICHMOND'S MOST HISTORIC AND ARCHEAOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT SPOT WOULD SET A DISASTEROUS PRECEDENT."
HISTORIAN DR. DAVID STARKEY, WHOSE SERIES ON HENRY VIII IS NOW RUNNING ON CHANNEL 4, IS ALSO APPALLED. QUOTES from him will be available later today.
The Asgill Lodge Action Group, a group of people from throughout the Richmond borough opposing the house, say that the large garden of Asgill Lodge, which borders the historic Richmond Palace is being "grabbed" to build this massive, unnecessary house.
The garden adjoins the Tudor remains of the old Richmond Palace and is on Old Palace Lane, one of the most picturesque and historic streets in London and Britain leading from Richmond Green to the river. The lane is where the palace moat was.
"The house makes a mockery of the palace and the Conservation Area. The house is massive and out of character with this historic area. It will look like a light industrial unit shoehorned into what is now a glorious garden, a garden that has probably been there as part of the palace for 500 years," said Paolo Marenghi, who lives directly opposite.
"As for it being a "low-carbon house, it should be no-carbon. The house is unnecessary. The carbon footprint of building such a big house will be massive. Moreover, many trees will be cut down."
The Crown Estate, which owns the land and the Grade I listed buildings next to the proposed house is also opposed. It told the council in July it should refuse the house because "the bulk and massing of the proposal is excessive" ... and not "in keeping with with the character of either of the Conservation Areas."
Richmond Palace was built by Henry VII. Henry VIII courted Anne Boleyn there. It was the palace Anne of Cleves was given as part of her divorce settlement. It was Elizabeth I's favourite palace at Christmas and where she and Henry VII died.
FOR MORE INFO, QUOTES AND PHOTOS OF WHAT THE GARDEN LOOKS LIKE NOW AND GRAPHICS OF WHAT WOULD LIKE IF THE HOUSE IS BUILT:
Contact ASGILL LODGE ACTION GROUP: Marian Bontempo 0790 621 5327 or 0208 940 1880.