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Building Compliance in Richmond upon Thames
Local information last checked:
Richmond validation: decide the evidence before submitting
The Local Validation Checklist for All Applications was agreed on 19 February 2026 and took effect on 20 February 2026. Use its thresholds rather than assuming that only major schemes need technical reports. Incomplete or poor-quality information can prevent validation. Scope the assessments while the design can still change, especially where a conversion creates just one additional dwelling.
| Evidence | Richmond trigger | Practical response |
|---|---|---|
| Energy strategy | New residential development creating at least one dwelling, including conversions, changes of use and extensions. New non-residential development or extensions exceeding 100sqm gross floorspace also trigger an energy statement. | Our energy statements explain demand, on-site savings, supply and any residual offsetting. Do not treat a standalone EPC as this planning strategy. |
| Sustainable construction | The council requires its checklist for new dwellings and for new non-residential development, including conversions, changes of use and extensions, providing at least 100m² GIA. | Prepare the sustainability statement alongside the council spreadsheet. Submit the spreadsheet in Excel format, not just a PDF report. |
| Noise and heat pumps | Noise-sensitive or noise-generating development needs assessment where noise is a material consideration or has significant impact. Non-compliant domestic ASHP installations need a full noise impact assessment or acoustic design statement. | Use noise surveys to establish exposure and acoustic design to resolve it. For MCS 020 a) compliant domestic ASHPs, the checklist instead requests manufacturer specifications and compliance evidence. |
Source: Local Validation Checklist, February 2026; Sustainable Construction Checklist submission guidance.
Richmond conservation areas: fabric changes need a joint strategy
Richmond’s conservation-area guidance identifies 85 conservation areas, including historic villages, town centres and large open spaces. Designation is therefore relevant beyond an individual listed building. Establish the address’s designation and any Article 4 direction before fixing replacement windows, external insulation or ventilation openings.
| Richmond issue | Local constraint | Evidence to coordinate |
|---|---|---|
| Windows and permissions | The council explains that Article 4 directions can remove permitted development rights. A proposed window replacement therefore needs an address-specific check, not an assumption based on a neighbouring property. | Use retrofit assessments to compare fabric improvements before selecting the final window and wall specification. |
| Ventilation and heritage | The council’s conservation FAQs specifically discuss trickle vents and the relationship between replacement windows and ventilation requirements. | Coordinate window appearance and the ventilation approach before ordering. Background ventilation calculations can inform that design; they do not replace any necessary heritage consent. |
Source: Richmond conservation areas: frequently asked questions
Richmond’s 2025 Local Plan: carbon, cooling and water
The Richmond Local Plan 2024-2039 was adopted on 7 October 2025 and replaces the earlier Local Plan and Twickenham Area Action Plan policies. The council’s March 2026 Sustainable Construction Checklist guidance connects current policy numbers to the evidence below. Avoid carrying superseded policy references into a new report.
| Policy subject | Published guidance | Design response |
|---|---|---|
| Policy 4: energy and cooling | The guidance describes net-zero carbon and a minimum 60% on-site reduction beyond Part L 2021, with an exception for minor residential changes of use and conversions. Check the applicable category before setting a target. | Align SAP calculations or SBEM calculations with the planning energy strategy and the actual proposed fabric and services. |
| Policy 4: overheating | For major applications, the guidance expects TM59 domestic and/or TM52 non-domestic dynamic modelling, with DSY1, DSY2 and DSY3 testing. | Commission TM59/TM52 assessments early enough to change shading, glazing and ventilation rather than relying immediately on active cooling. |
| Policy 6: water | The checklist asks residential schemes whether they exceed 105 litres per person daily, excluding a five-litre external allowance. Non-residential schemes address BREEAM Wat 01 credits. | Use water calculations to check the selected fittings. Keep the internal-use figure and external allowance explicit so the checklist and calculation remain comparable. |
Source: Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD guidance, March 2026
Richmond evidence alongside the London Plan 2021
The London Plan 2021 includes policies SI 2 on carbon, SI 4 on heat risk and SI 5 on water. Richmond’s checklist guidance maps these to local policies rather than treating regional and borough requirements as alternatives. Our London Plan energy assessments should use the same assumptions as the local submission.
| Richmond coordination | Requirement | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| One coordinated submission | Richmond’s validation list requires the energy statement to follow the GLA energy hierarchy and requires additional GLA-aligned information for major development. | Keep floor areas, energy demand and proposed systems consistent across planning drawings, modelling and the checklist. This makes any later design change easier to trace. |
Source: Local Validation Checklist, energy statement requirement 49
Richmond Building Control: separate the approval evidence
The council’s Building Control page confirms responsibility for notifiable work within the borough and provides building notice, full plans and regularisation routes. Agree the appropriate route for the proposed work separately from the planning submission. A Richmond planning energy statement is not itself building-regulations approval.
| Richmond route | Purpose | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Design to completion | The borough’s building-control process concerns compliance with national Building Regulations. | Plan the relevant air-tightness testing and sound insulation testing around the agreed design and inspection requirements, rather than assuming planning documents close out construction evidence. |
Source: Richmond Building Control
Services in Richmond upon Thames
Testing and Inspection
- Air tightness testing in Richmond upon Thames
- Sound insulation testing in Richmond upon Thames
- Ventilation testing in Richmond upon Thames
- Asbestos surveys in Richmond upon Thames
- Management asbestos survey in Richmond upon Thames
- Refurbishment and demolition survey in Richmond upon Thames
- Pre-purchase asbestos survey in Richmond upon Thames
- Retrofit assessments in Richmond upon Thames
- Smoke shaft and AOV testing in Richmond upon Thames
- Borescope inspections in Richmond upon Thames
- Legionella risk assessments in Richmond upon Thames
- MVHR commissioning in Richmond upon Thames
- Fire risk assessments in Richmond upon Thames
Energy and Calculations
- SAP calculations in Richmond upon Thames
- SBEM calculations in Richmond upon Thames
- U-value calculations in Richmond upon Thames
- EPC in Richmond upon Thames
- Display energy certificates in Richmond upon Thames
- Water calculations in Richmond upon Thames
- Condensation risk analysis in Richmond upon Thames
- Home energy model in Richmond upon Thames
- Thermal bridging calculations in Richmond upon Thames
- Background ventilation calculations in Richmond upon Thames
- Overheating assessments in Richmond upon Thames
Design and Planning
- Energy statements in Richmond upon Thames
- London plan energy assessments in Richmond upon Thames
- Acoustic design in Richmond upon Thames
- Party wall and ceiling design in Richmond upon Thames
- Party floor design in Richmond upon Thames
- CIBSE TM59 and TM52 assessments in Richmond upon Thames
- Sustainability statements in Richmond upon Thames
- Noise surveys in Richmond upon Thames
- Environmental noise survey in Richmond upon Thames
- Residential noise surveys in Richmond upon Thames
- Commercial and industrial noise surveys in Richmond upon Thames
- Road and rail noise surveys in Richmond upon Thames
- Entertainment and night club noise surveys in Richmond upon Thames
- Regulation 25A reports in Richmond upon Thames
Richmond HMO licensing: test occupation as well as building use
The council’s HMO licence application page sets out a five-or-more occupier threshold involving at least two households, shared amenities and further qualifying conditions and exemptions. It excludes certain purpose-built flats in larger blocks. Check the complete criteria rather than deciding from bedroom numbers alone.
| Richmond landlord issue | Published distinction | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and licensing differ | Richmond states that HMOs occupied by seven or more people require planning permission. | Check planning status alongside the licence position before changing occupancy. Scope fire risk assessments, EPCs and legionella risk assessments for the actual premises and applicable duties; these are not substitutes for a licence. |
Source: Apply for a HMO licence
Building compliance questions in Richmond upon Thames
Does one new Richmond flat need an energy statement?
Yes. The February 2026 checklist includes new residential development creating one dwelling or more, including conversions and changes of use. Establish that scope before submitting the planning application.
Can I submit Richmond’s sustainability checklist as a PDF?
The council’s checklist page requires the completed spreadsheet in Excel format to preserve its data. A supporting report can explain the evidence but should not replace that spreadsheet.
Does conservation designation cover only Richmond’s listed houses?
No. The council guidance describes 85 conservation areas covering varied places and open spaces. Check both conservation designation and Article 4 controls for the property before specifying external changes.
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