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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Tories ignore public outcry over Heatham House sell off
October 17, 2011 5:49 PM
• [Oct 14] DESPITE overwhelming public opposition to the Council's proposal to sell off Heatham House youth centre and its grounds for residential or hotel use, the Tories are set to press ahead with the plans at a cabinet meeting on Thursday October 20.
The proposal was subject to public consultation as part of the Council's Twickenham Area Action Plan and the response was overwhelmingly negative. However, the paper going to cabinet* on 20th October, whilst acknowledging that "most people were against", refuses to drop the proposal. The proposal would see Heatham House youth centre's Grade II listed building and grounds sold off, with the youth club moved to a much smaller space on the former royal mail site next door. Young people from the club have reacted angrily to the proposal that could see their club evicted from its much loved home of more than 60 years.
Cllr Stephen Knight, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition, said: "The Tories claim to take consultation seriously, but it appears that they only listen to the public when the public agrees with them. They should listen to the public and drop this proposal to sell off Heatham House. Heatham House is a beautiful historic building with extensive grounds and has been the jewel in the crown of the borough's youth service for more than 60 years. Generations of young people have grown up loving the place and evicting the youth club in order to turn it into a hotel or private mansion would be a truly shocking move. Young people deserve a place like Heatham House and it should be protected and improved, not sold off for a quick profit."
* Twickenham Action Plan - Report Of Options Consultation And Way Forward [Cabinet paper Oct 20]:
' . . 3.10 Heatham House
3.10.1 35 % support the relocation of youth facilities to the Royal Mail site while 45 % did not support the proposal. This issue was also mentioned at the All in One event and the meeting with youth (with most people against a move).
3.10.1 Analysis and conclusions: There are clearly differing opinions on the relocation of the youth facility and this will only be acceptable if comparable facilities can be provided. However it is suggested that the option of relocation should remain open as there is the opportunity to provide a sustainable purpose built facility on the Royal Mail site. This would enable the restoration of Heatham House which is a listed building and provide the opportunity to bring a new use(s) into Twickenham to help the regeneration. The emphasis will be on retaining the facility within the town, considering the future of the sports fields (see under Royal Mail site below) and to ensuring that this important building is protected and enhanced.
3.10.2 It is therefore proposed that the TAAP proposal site description for Heatham
House should include the following:-
• That in the event of a satisfactory re-location of the Youth facility the acceptable alternative uses of Heatham House would be residential, employment or hotel use
• That any future use preserves and enhances Heatham House and its setting . . '
• Calls to keep Twickenham's Heatham House youth club open in survey [RTT Oct 10]
• Headteacher and pupils raise Heatham House concerns [RTT Apr 02 2012]
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