Planning in Richmond upon Thames

Before submission

Validation requirements

The council provides a Local Validation Checklist for all applications, which took effect on 20 February 2026.

• Applicants are encouraged to include an Application Inventory template for complex proposals.
• Mandatory biodiversity net gain requirements, including an exemption statement where applicable, must be addressed.
• Heritage Statements may be required for specific applications.

SourceRichmond upon Thames — application requirements(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07

Timescales

Realistic decision times

Statutory target

The national determination period set in law, counted from validation. A target, not a guarantee.

Actual processing time

What the council's published performance data shows in practice, including extensions of time.

Allow for validation before the decision period starts. The usual statutory determination periods in England are 8 weeks for non-major applications, 13 weeks for major development and 16 weeks where environmental impact assessment is required, unless a different period is agreed.

• These are statutory targets, not a measured borough average or a guarantee. No current borough-specific average has been verified for this guide.
• An incomplete submission, amendments, committee referral or an agreed extension of time can extend the overall programme.
• Ask the planning team about its current validation queue before setting a construction date. Prior approval and other specialist applications can have different statutory periods.

SourceGOV.UK — determining a planning application(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07

Permitted development

Article 4 restrictions

These are selected directions, not an exhaustive address search. Read the council’s current map, schedule, commencement date and any later modifications for your property. A conservation area is not automatically an Article 4 area, and a direction affecting changes of use does not necessarily restrict a home extension. Confirm the responsible planning authority too: some development-corporation areas have separate arrangements.

Article 4 Directions in Richmond upon Thames restrict permitted development rights in designated areas.

• Specific restrictions exist for basements, conservation areas, and changes from commercial/business use to residential.
• Property owners may require planning permission if their site is subject to an Article 4 Direction, despite standard permitted development rights.

SourceRichmond upon Thames — Article 4 information(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07