In 1924 Twickenham Council bought land, including the swimming pool site, on Twickenham embankment (Twickenham Riverside) for the express purpose of providing walks and pleasure grounds for the people of Twickenham. In 1980 the swimming pool on the site was closed. Since then, we've never been given the option by the Council of keeping the land as open space.
The Council is now offering the site to property developers to build between 15 and 30 luxury houses and flats that will pay for the shell of a River Centre which will include a 100-seater restaurant, offices and educational facilities.
In 2004 an Inspector, appointed by the first Secretary of State to report on the Twickenham Riverside Conservation Area, stated that 'the cardinal objective should be the maximising of the provision of public space'.
Council officers consider the proposed River Centre to be financially 'high-risk' so why is the council pursuing this plan, especially in the present uncertain financial climate? The Council is recorded as saying that the River Centre would be converted into offices if the Environmental Trust is unable to sustain viability.
The Council has already announced plans for the much loved playground to be bulldozed and the cafe to be closed next June.
They have offered no practical solution to the problem of traffic and parking for the proposed housing development, the River Centre, the 100-seat restaurant and offices. They have not considered the impact on local residents or the environmental impact of so many cars and lorries on this jewel in a conservation area.
At this very moment the Council is inviting offers from property developers to deprive us of our historic riverside promenade and recreational space. It should be kept for public use as originally intended.
The Save our Riverside group includes (in alphabetical order):
Mr Adam Brand, Mr Barry Edwards, Lady Hale, Professor Jeremy Hamilton-Miller, Mrs Sue Hamilton-Miller, Miss Judith Lovelace, Mr James Page, Mr John Perry, Mr Steve Roest, Mrs Adrienne Rowe, Sir Peter Wakefield and Mr Robin Walters.
