Residents of Richmond upon Thames can look forward to a year of significant change in 2026, as several long-awaited and major projects are set to reach key milestones or completion. From large-scale housing developments to vital new educational facilities, the borough's landscape is poised for transformation.
New Neighbourhoods and Riverside Regeneration
One of the most substantial changes will be the advancement of a brand-new neighbourhood on the site of the former Stag Brewery in Mortlake. After a decade-long battle and a public inquiry, Planning Inspector Glen Rollings approved the controversial £1.3billion scheme in 2025. The 22-acre development, the largest opportunity in Richmond, will eventually provide 1,075 new homes, though only 65 are designated as affordable.
The riverside scheme will also include a 1,200-place secondary school with a sixth form, alongside shops, offices, restaurants, a cinema, and space for a hotel. Developer Reselton Properties is now working to move the project into the construction phase, a process expected to take many years.
Meanwhile, after 40 years of uncertainty, construction will finally begin on the Twickenham Riverside regeneration this spring. The project, approved in 2022, will transform derelict land with 45 new homes (50% affordable), shops, cafés, and public open space. The council has set aside a budget of £67.2 million for the scheme, which is due for completion in late 2027.
Boosting Education and Specialist Support
September 2026 will see the opening of a crucial new facility for local children. A new centre for the Clarendon School in Petersham will provide 77 additional specialist places for pupils with moderate learning difficulties and complex needs. Managed by the Auriga Academy Trust, the centre will feature ten classrooms, specialist teaching spaces, and therapy rooms, aiming to reduce the number of children needing to travel outside the borough for education.
In a landmark development for world-renowned Kew Gardens, its first-ever purpose-built learning centre is scheduled to open in October 2026. The Shafran Learning Centre will be a net-zero educational building offering laboratories, lecture theatres, and classrooms. It will expand Kew's educational reach through in-person and virtual lessons, focusing on plant science and the nature crisis.
Housing Estate Overhaul and Lasting Impact
The regeneration of the Ham Close Estate in Ham will also hit a major milestone, with the first phase of rebuilding on track for completion this spring. Approved in 2022, the project led by Richmond Housing Partnership and Hill Residential will replace the 192 existing homes with 452 new homes, 221 of which will be affordable, alongside new community facilities and green spaces.
These projects collectively represent a huge investment in Richmond's future infrastructure, housing, and community services. Council leader Gareth Roberts hailed 2025 as a "year of investment and delivery," a momentum that now looks set to bring tangible changes to the borough's streets, skyline, and services throughout 2026 and beyond.
