Investors Canadian and Arcadia have submitted planning proposals for a George Street redevelopment to Richmond Borough Council (RBC) Tuesday (August 6).

The proposals amount to a sizeable new project, described in the brief as a "mixed-use redevelopment and multi-million pound investment in the property at 75-81 George Street".

The existing site is a House of Fraser retailers.

As the Times reported previously, a public consultation is required for the proposals before they can be approved.

On Tuesday, Canadian and Arcadia revealed that this process had taken place during April, attracting 97 people over two days.

A spokesperson for the investment firm said that talking with residents highlighted a "high level" of support for the company's proposals.

"We are excited to have submitted the planning application for 80 George Street to Richmond Council.

"This follows over 24 hours of consultation with the community in Richmond, which demonstrated a high level of support for the plans.

"Our exhibition in April was a fantastic opportunity for the team to meet local people and understand their views on the site, as well as the wider town centre," the spokesperson said.

Canadian and Arcadia added that they were excited to push forward with the redevelopment alongside Be Richmond, the business improvement district in town.

"Working with Be Richmond to engage the business community provided us with helpful feedback on our proposals and we hope that the information will be valuable to the BID as they continue their aim of making Richmond a great place to live and work.

"We would like to thank all residents, business owners and local groups in Richmond for their contributions...their feedback has been invaluable," the spokesperson said.

The letter that accompanied the investors' proposals offered further details of the planned redevelopment.

For example, they said under current plans it would include the following:

  • High-quality retail floor space, which will respond to the modern requirements of high street retailers
  • Four floors of modern office space in a town centre location, with the capacity to support up to 550 employment opportunities
  • A sensitively designed scheme, which will refurbish and modernise the existing building
  • Significant improvements to the external appearance of the existing property to support its key high street location

The proposals will now be reviewed at RBC before a decision is made later this year.