Over the last two months, Richmond’s draft Local Plan, which sets out how Richmond Council will decide on planning applications for new developments in the borough, has been subject to an Examination in Public.[1]
Representatives from the GLA, along with Green Councillor Niki Crookdake, provided evidence showing that the current approach by Richmond Council is delivering significantly less affordable housing than the London average. Following the examination, the Inspector concluded that the Council’s preferred Viability Route is unlikely to maximise affordable housing, and recommended the Council offer developers the Fast Track route as well as the Viability Route, aligning it with the London Plan.
The Inspector’s conclusion is no surprise to the Green Opposition on Richmond Council. At the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 9 July, the Green councillors brought a motion that would further help ensure more affordable housing is built whenever the Viability Route is followed, on sites like the former Stag Brewery and Barnes Hospital sites in Mortlake and Sheen.[2]
Cllr Niki Crookdake, who brought the motion, said:
“We are asking the council to commit to sign up to the latest best practice guidance when the viability route is followed, to achieve the maximum number of affordable homes from each development. Across London, applying the latest guidance has resulted in, on average, 28 per cent affordable housing, with 32 per cent low-cost housing on developments. Richmond has only achieved 12 per cent completions on average since 2018, with very little low-cost housing. If we had achieved the London average, we would have 200 more affordable homes for residents, significantly reducing the number of residents in temporary accommodation.”
The Liberal Democrat administration rejected the Green motion, amending it to vote for one that does not commit the Council to sign up to the latest professional and industry guidance when using the Viability Route to determine how much affordable housing is possible. The Local Plan Inspector’s decision will need to be consulted on and is likely to come to the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee by the end of 2024, before being considered at Full Council in the new year.
[1] Draft Local Plan: Examination library
[2] Agenda for Full Council, 9 July 2024,
https://cabnet.richmond.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=173&MId=500000330
