Twickenham Riverside project: Council says it will not partner with developer

The council has just submitted a planning application for the site by Water Lane, King Street and the Embankment, two years after it began consulting with residents.

See related: Long-awaited Twickenham Riverside planning application submitted by Richmond Council

The application includes proposals to demolish all existing structures on the site and build 39 residential apartments, commercial and retail space, seasonal units and car parking by the river.

During the consultations, “retaining control” was something residents were concerned about.

The council has said while “it is not expecting to recover the £6.84m spent purchasing the King Street properties to enable the development to happen this is seen as important investment in the borough”.

This means any profit made will not go to an outside agent.

Councillor Pamela Fleming, Richmond cabinet member for environment, business and community, said: “Since we started working with the community to develop the design for this site, one thing has been clear – this development is the final piece of the Twickenham jigsaw.

“For too many years, Twickenham was forgotten.

“We have made it our priority to make improvements.

“It is important that the council keep control of the future of this site.

“Whilst the financial aspects are important, it also has to be a development that will regenerate the town, benefitting those who live, work and study in Twickenham.”

Opposition leader Gareth Roberts described the announcement as a “shocking revelation”.

He said: “At no point during the many and various consultations was it ever mentioned that there would be such a massive cost to the tax payer as a loss of nearly £7 million pounds.

“And that doesn't even include the costs of two years of consultations.  It has always been the line that the development would be either a nil-gain project or would operate at a modest loss.”  

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