Over a Thousand Flats Could Be Built on Kew Retail Park

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Apartment blocks to cover much of existing car park

Visualisation of the scheme from the developer. Picture: JTP

Kew Retail Park could soon be turned into a new village under ambitious new plans. Proposals are being drawn up to build up to 1,200 new flats, a new Marks and Spencer, shops and improved public space at Kew Retail Park.

No indication is given of the likely height of the apartment blocks but they would cover much of the space in the existing car park with underground parking provided for residents and Marks and Spencer customers.

Architect JTP is organising the planning process for the new neighbourhood on behalf of site owners St George and Marks and Spencer. A vision for the site has been drawn up including private and ‘affordable’ homes, a public square, tree-lined streets, community allotments and new pedestrian and cycle routes. Workshops held with local people suggested shops and cafés, including a pharmacy, be incorporated into the scheme.

Visualisation of the amenity areas in the proposed development. Picture: JTP

A report on the masterplan says the site has been allocated in Richmond Council’s draft local plan for “residential-led, mixed-use development”. It says, “The redevelopment provides an opportunity to bring forward up to 1,200 high-quality new homes, including much needed affordable housing, a new M&S store and other replacement retail and local amenities, as well as improved public realm and connections through the site.”

Under the plans, M&S would move from its existing store on the site to a new store with homes above.

Overview of the planned development. Picture: JTP

The report reads, “Many people recognised that the single storey, single use retail park and surface car park is an inefficient and unattractive use of this valuable site and supported redevelopment to provide much needed new homes, including affordable housing, and create a new community hub benefitting and connecting neighbouring communities.

“Concern was expressed by some about the proposed scale of the development, whilst others recognised that the provision of apartments opens up the opportunity to provide significant publicly accessible green space.”

It adds, “Kew is an attractive and popular area to live, with good transport links and local amenities. Residential prices are high and participants identified a need to provide a mix of one to three bedroom apartments within the new neighbourhood, to suit people of all incomes. A priority is to provide affordable housing, including for key workers and families, to support a balanced community and enable people to live near where they work.”

Kew Retail Park being converted into housing. Picture: St. George

Charles Campion, partner at JTP, said, “The knowledge and creativity of the local community should be at the heart of planning and placemaking. This is a pivotal site in Kew, which the community has recognised can deliver a lot of benefits, better walking and cycling connections and provide for more sustainable local living in the future. We will continue the open participation process and arrange further community workshops, exhibitions and visits over the coming month as we develop the proposals for the new neighbourhood.”

The design team will now draw up more detailed plans. A planning application is expected to be submitted in June 2023. If the plans are approved, work is anticipated to begin at the end of 2024 and would take around ten years. M&S would continue to operate throughout this time.

Charlotte Lilywhite - Local Democracy Reporter

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July 12, 2022