7 December,
2002: ALTERNATIVE SCHEME
See below for the press release. The scheme and others will be discussed fully at the Council's Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday 10 December at 7pm. The Cabinet Agenda and the Council Officer's report on the Riverside are online. At this time there is no clear indication as to whether the Public Inquiry into the Dawnay Day scheme will go ahead on 14 January. Dawnay Day have failed to carry out the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment and to file the necessary documents setting out their case for the development. Local groups filed their information on time, and we are awaiting responses from the Planning Inspectorate and the Government Office for London. PRESS RELEASE: THE TWICKENHAM WATERFRONT A new proposal for redeveloping the derelict swimming poolsite in Twickenham Riverside will be put to the Council's Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday 10 December. The Twickenham Waterfront (TW) scheme is put together by the group of local societies who have worked to keep the poolsite for the community. Led by Jack Betteridge, the group includes award-winning architect Clive Chapman, who designed the houses in Water Lane. The scheme calls for: * Moving the parking from the Embankment to the back of the site, and diverting traffic from the Embankment * Maintaining access for Eel Pie Island businesses and residents * Creating a cohesive public open space by the river, for community use: boating-related activities, duck feeding, local events and markets * Only enough housing, shops, and cafés to pay for the development * Low-scale building that's in keeping with the surroundings, and situated away from the river * In addition, creation of a public facility like a permanent river museum, or a viewing tower. The TW timetable is split into two parts: * Phase 1: demolition and the creation of the public space, plus construction of the enabling development, can begin immediately, * Phase 2: development of the landmark public building, will follow after comprehensive public consultation. The benefits of the Twickenham Waterfront scheme: * The site ceases to be an eyesore and becomes a new centre for Twickenham. * There is no cost to the Council (or the taxpayer) except supplying the land * Income from the enabling development will pay for maintenance, while the houses will overlook the open space, so providing informal security of the area in the evenings. STATEMENTS FROM THE GROUP: Jack Betteridge: "This scheme along with the Terrace Group scheme will provide a choice of low-level, river-related schemes that will enable the public to enjoy one of the most absorbing riverfronts on the Thames. "This scheme, solves the parking problem, opens up the Embankment, gets rid of the pool eyesore, is self funding and can be implemented quickly. Let's go for it. "The scheme can be implemented quickly and will attract people to Twickenham who will spend their money with existing businesses. Let Dawnay Day clean up the shopping frontage in King St which they own, to complete the revitalisation of the town centre." Judith Lovelace, Chair of the Twickenham Society: "I am so pleased to be associated with two schemes which approach the site as a river related open space with accessible facilities which everyone can enjoy. Dare we hope that agreement will break out over this site after nearly 25 years?" John Bell , Liaison Officer for the Friends of Twickenham Green: "I expect the imaginative Waterfront scheme to appeal to many Twickenham residents because it is very much in line with the popular vision for this important site. The novel approach to access and parking demonstrates that conflicting aspirations can be resolved by goodwill and common sense. "I am particularly pleased to see the Embankment freed up as usable open space. That's a real benefit for all the people of Twickenham rather than profit for developers. "Local commercial interests in the town centre will also prosper as more visitors are attracted to linger longer in Twickenham's enhanced waterfront setting. "I remain hopeful that, with a selection of realistic low key schemes, Twickenham Town will soon have the popular asset it has waited for so long." Peter Francis, local resident and river user: "Twickenham does have a lot of open space. The problem is that it doesn't relate to the town centre. If you think of what Richmond would look like without its Green, you can realise how much better Twickenham would be with one." |
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| Page created 21/04/03. Last amended 27/5/11 |
