The Council released the following press statement on Friday.

RAG considers the issue of the release now, ahead of a meeting to discuss objectors’ viewpoints, discourteous. It reaffirms the cynicism with which many regard the dialogue we have tried to start with Cllr. Fleming and her chosen architect.

There has been no statement from Lord True, who we believe continues to be the Leader of the Council and ultimately responsible for pursuit of this plan.

A further statement from RAG will shortly follow.
Press release: P229/16
Contact: Mark Coleman
020 8487 5158
mark.coleman@richmond.gov.uk
Date: 03/06/2016

NEWS: Twickenham Riverside ….Revised
This summer, you can have your say on new designs for Twickenham Riverside (once again).

The designs for a proposed new heart for Twickenham – including a wider Water Lane, additional parking and reduction in building heights will be launched next month.

Last year, over 3,000 people took part in a consultation and had their say on a conceptual development scheme by the Council’s preferred architect, Francis Terry.

The concepts focused on designs for the run-down old pool buildings and the Santander/Water Lane site bought by the Council in 2014. They aimed to create a real heart for Twickenham and draw people to the town, river and Diamond Jubilee Gardens. The ideas presented would improve the link between Diamond Jubilee Gardens and the embankment and create two new large community spaces. All the space at ground level would also be open for public use.

In response to the initial consultation, the architects have now reviewed all of the feedback. They have further developed their proposals to try and incorporate many of the themes suggested. These include:
• The need for a single open space
• Requirement for a wide Water Lane that will increase visibility of the river
• Simplifying the architecture on King Street and changing materials to match nearby buildings
• Identifying additional parking spaces
• Potential reduction of building height – particularly on the river front.

The second consultation on the further developed proposals will be launched on the 19th July. Similarly to the last consultation – information will be available online and via a pop-up shop on Church Street. However, the consultation will last longer and will be for approximately nine weeks.

Cllr Pamela Fleming, Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“We have listened to what people said. Over the past few months the architects have been developing the concepts to incorporate the main issues raised. When we go out to full consultation in July, you will see how your feedback has influenced the changes. The need for a wider Water Lane, alternations to the architectural features and materials and reviewing the parking requirements are just some of the changes.

“We promised that we would hold further a consultation over the summer and into the autumn. We will ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to have their say. It will be a nine-week consultation period, the longest consultation period ever. We will again have the pop-up shop for part of that time, where residents will be able to meet with the architects.”