Planning

Under the SHRA Constitution a key objective is ‘to keep watch on major proposals for local developments and planning applications and, in connection with these, to take such action as is possible, or necessary, to protect the amenities, the interests of residents, and the heritage of the area, including buildings of special interest.’ In order to carry out this task we need to know how the London Plan and local Richmond plans affect Strawberry Hill.

Since its beginning SHRA has monitored the 3-4 planning applications that are lodged each week across the 2,400 homes in Strawberry Hill. Most of these are uncontroversial and have no impact on the community. However, there are some that do give rise to concern on the grounds that they:

threaten our green spaces;
adversely affect the street scene;
threaten the character, or harmony, of one of our important buildings, or views;
risk creating unacceptable noise, or light, levels.

Where there is clear concern among residents, SHRA lodges our concerns and, where appropriate, our opposition to the application.

Major planning battles over the years

1965 – SHRA founded to successfully oppose the town centre development plan that proposed a new arterial road splitting Strawberry Hill.
1969 – SHRA was concerned about over development and traffic from the development of the former Fortescue House School which was approved as the Shaftesbury Way in 1971.
1969 – The Glenside development for a sports centre was opposed by SHRA and after 13 years new housing was given planning permission in Spencer Road/Popes Avenue.
1971 – Radnor works in Strawberry Vale had various applications refused before Mallard Place was approved in 1977, despite SHRA objections.
2013 – the Council redefined the boundaries of the ‘Village’ excluding about 800 homes from Strawberry Hill – SHRA objected strongly and the boundaries were restored.
2016 – St Mary’s University’s plans to expand student numbers, which required building on Metropolitan Open Land and demolishing the athletics track, were strongly opposed by SHRA.
2021 – the proposed 5G mast in Cross Deep in front of Radnor Gardens was opposed by SHRA and the Council agreed.