Kew Retail Park has been allocated in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames draft Local Plan for comprehensive residential-led, mixed-use development.

In June 2022, the local community was invited to the Kew Retail Park Community Planning Weekend at The National Archives to share local knowledge and help shape a new Vision for the site through facilitated workshops, walkabouts and hands-on planning groups.

The resultant Vision for Kew Retail Park was reported back to the local community on Tuesday 5 July 2022. The summary Vision broadsheet and the full presentation can be viewed below in the downloads section.

The Vision

The ideas to emerge at the Community Planning Weekend include: a new, mixed use neighbourhood connecting with surrounding residential communities and providing a new community “heart” and green spaces; a new M&S store, retail and other uses set around vibrant public space; a mix of high quality, energy efficient homes, including 1, 2 and 3 bedroom affordable and for sale apartments on tree-lined streets; an attractive green and bio-diverse open space running north/south adjacent to Kew Meadow Path and fronted by active uses and housing; new pedestrian and cycle routes through the site and a car club serving local residents, and; leisure and community spaces and play areas to serve new and existing residents of all ages.

Community Planning Weekend

The Community Planning Weekend was organised by JTP, on behalf of site owners St George and Marks & Spencer, and was a chance to share local knowledge and contribute to creating a new Vision through facilitated workshops and hands-on planning groups on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June 2022 at The National Archives.

Participation was on a drop-in basis with no need to pre-register – people could stay for a short while, a few hours or the whole event. JTP team members were on hand to answer any questions.

In the run up to the Community Planning Weekend, people gave their initial views about the Kew Retail Park site and its relationship with the neighbouring areas via the Create Communities interactive map. The deadline for views has now passed but you can see the comments people posted on the map here.

Report Back Presentation

Following the public workshop days, the JTP-led team analysed and summarised the outcomes to draw up a Vision for Kew Retail Park, including an illustrative Vision masterplan which was presented back to the local community on the evening of Tuesday 5 July at The National Archives.

Next Steps

The design team will develop the proposals with the council and the community through an ongoing engagement process in advance of a planning application. After the planning application has been determined, on-site work will begin with a phased construction programme of around ten years. M&S will trade continuously throughout this time.

Background

Kew Retail Park is an important site in Kew and is jointly owned by St George and Marks & Spencer. The site has been allocated in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames draft Local Plan for comprehensive residential-led, mixed-use development. The redevelopment of the retail park provides an opportunity to bring forward high-quality new homes, replacement retail, and local amenities, as well as improved public realm and connections through the site.