Ham is a quietly remarkable village. It sits between Richmond Park and the Thames, just up the road from Ham House, and it has long attracted attention from people who care about community, heritage and good design. That includes the Royal Family — back in March 2014, then-Prince Charles (now King Charles III) toured the Ham Close estate, and his Foundation was later invited to help shape the long-term vision for the area's regeneration.
Why a royal tour mattered to Ham
The visit was about the future of the 1960s Ham Close estate. The Prince's Foundation focused on what good neighbourhood design should feel like: sustainability, community-first spaces, mid-rise human-scale housing, and places where families actually want to live for the long term. Those values shaped the conversations that led to the regeneration plan now being delivered by Richmond Housing Partnership and Hill Group.
Note: HRH visited the Ham Close estate, not our restaurant. We are simply proud that our village has earned that level of attention — and proud to keep serving the community he met.
Ham Close today
- 452 new homes replacing the original 192 flats, with a mix of 3–6 storey buildings.
- 221 affordable homes, plus all existing social housing re-provided.
- The Hive — a new £7m community building including a youth club and family hub.
- The Makers Barn — a creative hub replacing the former Richmond MakerLabs cottage.
- Phase 1 due 2026, with later phases completing through 2032.
Our place in that story
Jaflong Tandoori has been on Ashburnham Road since 2008. We have watched the village grow, change and now rebuild — and we have served the families, builders, councillors, RHP staff and community workers shaping every phase of it. As Ham Close opens up and new neighbours move in, we will be doing what we have always done: cooking honest food, supporting local events, and being the friendly Indian on the corner.
If you are moving into Ham Close, working on the regeneration, or just curious about the village — drop in. Call 020 8332 1339 or visit us at 16 Ashburnham Road.