28 April 2009 - Council Cabinet Decides on Countryside Properties Scheme (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

28 April 2009 - Council Cabinet Decides on Countryside Properties Scheme

April 22, 2009 12:39 PM

The proposed layout by Countryside, the developer selected by the Council

• UPDATE: At a packed and frequently noisy meeting at York House on 27th April, the Council Cabinet selected Countryside Properties to carry out the development of the swimming pool site.

Angela Kidner, the Trust's Projects Manager, said: 'This is a terrific result for the Trust. We were really heartened by the support we have received from many local residents and business people who understand what a valuable resource the River Centre will be, and recognise the need for a lively mixed development on the site which will help to ensure the future of the riverside's historic working character.' The next stage will be the signing of a contract with the chosen developer, with local firm Clive Chapman Architects.

• [Apr 21]: Serge Lourie: " . . THERE has been a concerted and well organised campaign in which a number of lies were told. The amount of land used for housing has been grossly overstated and people have been told that there will be no more playground on the site . . "

At the Council meeting on 21 April, Liberal Democrat Councillors rejected a call by the Conservatives for a referendum in four Twickenham Wards. Council Leader, Serge Lourie, said "This is an old story. The Conservatives, as a party, do not support referenda and this is just opportunism of the worst kind. It is unclear what the question would be and also unclear who should vote. The Conservatives have no vision for Twickenham Riverside. They admitted, at the Council meeting, that they were just engaged in delaying tactics."

The Cabinet will be making a decision at its meeting on 27 April and will be hearing presentations from supporters and opponents of the scheme. They will be balancing the opinions of organisations such as the Twickenham Society and the Town Centre Management Committee and the Richmond United Group and the Terrace Group.

The Cabinet decision will be taken on the basis of a report that outlines the views of the Evaluation Committee, who interviewed the three developers on Friday 17 April. This is the eighth scheme to be considered by the Council in the 28 years since the site became vacant.

Serge Lourie said: "There has been a concerted and well organised campaign in which a number of lies were told. The amount of land used for housing has been grossly overstated and people have been told that there will be no more playground on the site. In my view there are three main issues we need to consider:

• the economic downturn means that Twickenham has been suffering economically. Will this scheme help?

• this site has been largely derelict for 28 years and the playground and café were always intended to be temporary. Should the site now be redeveloped?

• there is a clear desire for a river centre. Would a river centre improve the lives of local people?

The Conservatives have waged a disgraceful and vindictive campaign of intimidation against a number of organisations especially the river centre. They have warned off potential funders and have tried to warn off companies involved in the scheme. On Monday, we have an opportunity to change Twickenham for the better."

What happens next?

• 27 April - Cabinet select a bidder with whom to further clarify, specify and fine tune the tender ; • 28 May - Council decides to whom to award the contract ; • 9 June - Earliest date for entry into contract ; • July onwards - Preparation of a planning application for the scheme which will involve further consultation before and during its submission

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: