Velosport on Upper Richmond Road. Picture: Google Streetview
September 30, 2024
Plans to convert part of a shop on Upper Richmond Road in Putney into a two-bedroom flat are facing objections from a neighbour.
An application has been made to Wandsworth Council to create the new flat by reducing the size of the commercial unit now occupied by Velosport in Putney.
Previous plans for a two-bedroom flat in the same premises were turned down in August 2023 when there were nine objections from neighbours and Putney MP Fleur Anderson about a range of issues.
These included the "poor standard" of accommodation offered by the planned flat, the threat to Velosport's business caused by the reduction in shop size and the potential impact on local footfall.
Wandsworth's decision to refuse permission for that scheme was backed on appeal to a Government Planning Inspector, who stated earlier this year that the proposal would "fail to provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers".
Now Peckham-based Crawford Architects have amended their original plans and submitted a new scheme to the council. Changes include providing four roof lights to improve daylight, and the movement of a stair so as not to obscure a bedroom window.
An internal daylight report by T16 Design, which was submitted alongside the new scheme states that the proposed that the flat's three main rooms (two bedrooms and a kitchen/living/dining area) would have levels of natural light which would exceed the British Standard for Daylighting in Buildings.
A Design and Access Statement supplied by Crawford Architects points out that the new plans would keep the shop front unaltered. It adds: "Whilst the shop is being made smaller, it is intended to renovate the commercial unit to provide a high quality retail outlet befitting the location and surrounding area and which is in-line with current market demands."
But one neighbour has objected to the scheme, claiming the revised drawings don't show how the windows of an existing flat above the shop would look directly down onto the skylights. He said it would "compromise the privacy" of both the new and the existing flat.
He adds,"The daylight report does not take sufficient account of the old and very large trees at the rear, which diminish the sunlight on the back of the property. I would therefore contend the daylight report is not fully applicable."
The council is inviting further comments on the scheme until 10 October. To give your opinion, search for application 2024/2865 on the council's planning explorer.
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