EXCLUSIVE: LABORATORY OF THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST’S SITE TO BE TURNED INTO GIANT NEW TEDDINGTON BUSINESS PARK
EXCLUSIVE NEWS SPECIAL



It is understood that local residents in the surrounding roads are yet to be informed but a full public consultation and engagement process and an exhibition will be launched next month.
With a gross development value (GDV) of £90million the freehold site represents a ‘significant redevelop opportunity to create a best in-class multi-let industrial scheme.’
The site has been acquired by Royal Asset Management Property in partnership with a company called Graftongate (Graftongate – Commercial Real Estate Investor and Developer) which will act as development managers.
Planning applications have yet to be submitted to Richmond Council but are expected to be lodged in March and April. Work is not expected to start until mid-2026. It is expected to consist of a mixture 16 terraced and detached business units covering 130.000 square feet.
Graftongate development director, Paul Hanley said: “We will obviously be commencing a detailed programme of public engagement shortly and there will be plenty of opportunities for public consultation and opportunities to express views and concerns. Letters are being written now and an exhibition will be available but we are still at an early stage.”
The developers are emphatic that any new buildings ‘”will not be any taller” than existing buildings and the local environment and landscape will be totally respected. Vehicle movements will be tightly controlled.
The size of the plot is attractive as it provides flexibility to create a high-quality estate, combined with car parking and loading spaces and offers an ideal location for trade and SMEs.
The site, which employs over 1000 people, has been owned and occupied by LGC Group, a global leader in life science tools, partnering with customers to find solutions that diagnose, treat, feed and protect our growing population since 1989.
According to a current brochure and the President and CEO of the LGC Euan O’Sullivan the LGC has developed a new medicine to transform the life of a 2 year year child suffering from a rare neurological disease as well as creating materials to help identify cancer through blood samples. It describes its purpose as ‘Science for a Safer World.’
Teddington provides good connectivity across South West London, with 7.4 million people living within a ten mile radius of the site.
Mr Hanley said: “We think this is a fantastic site and location in a very affluent and densely populated part of south west London which rarely becomes available and we are confident that it will be very attractive to many different types of businesses.”
Senior industrial asset manager at Royal London Asset Management Property Matthew Barnes said: “Teddington is another important acquisition in our strategy to grow Royal London Asset Management Property’s industrial development pipeline.
“This presents a great opportunity for us to increase our exposure to London, where we are seeing continued occupational demand. We look forward to working alongside Graftongate again, to create a highly sustainable development which we intend to hold as a long-term investment.”
The spokesperson told Teddington Town: “Royal London Asset Management Property has recently purchased the former LGC site, as LGC have taken the decision to relocate.
“They have partnered with Graftongate to prepare proposals to deliver modern industrial space on the site, with the aim of benefitting the local economy, providing new job opportunities, and meeting demand for space from small and medium-sized businesses.
“We’re still at the early stages of the design development, but we have started to discuss these proposals with the Council (planning officers and the ward councillors) and we’ll soon be carrying out public consultation on the proposals with the wider community in the coming months, including holding an exhibition of the plans.
“We can let you know once the dates of this are confirmed and share further information on the proposals with you.”
Local Councillor Phil Geisler told Teddington Town: “We have had a preliminary meeting with the new owners. They are preparing plans to convert the site to small unit industrial use. This will of course require planning permission. I gather the owners are in the process of writing to local residents and stakeholders. We are checking with them the coverage of their communications.”
A spokesperson for the group Peter Lord said: “We will be sharing more information with the wider community as part of public consultation on the proposals in mid-February. This will involve public exhibition sessions open to anyone who wants to drop-in. We can let you know dates as soon as confirmed.”
In terms of the businesses the development may attract, the spokesperson added: “We’re open to exploring different options in terms of who could come onto the site so we can’t be that specific about the types of businesses that might take the space. It could include offices, research, light industry for example. We expect to have approximately 16 units so there will be a range of businesses on-site.”
According to the developers the existing buildings ‘are no longer fit for purpose’ so the six main laboratory buildings will need to be replaced. “The layout of the new buildings will closely replicate the existing footprint and building heights will be in line with the existing buildings. We’ll be able to share the designs publicly during the consultation,” added the spokesperson.
He also said the site would not be used for residential development. “Regional and local policy identifies the site as an area of importance for the delivery of employment uses in the borough and so it is not suitable for housing.”
Teddington Town has asked LGC about its plans for relocation and the impact on jobs.
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