Total demolition or nothing are the proposals being put to residents on the future of Ham Close.

The decision to discount any other option has left many "furious" with some feeling there was no choice but to walk out of a public meeting on the area's future, held at Grey Court School, on Monday, July 20.

The Ham Close and Ham Green regeneration proposals were created following "years" of consultation, but those attending the meeting said they were appalled to hear the five initial options had been cut to two.

The first would wipe out the current 192-home development and build 400 new units over an estimated eight years, on Ham Green and the existing shops in Ham Street.

The other is to do nothing.

Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP), which is running the project, said the changes were a reaction to the budget announced by George Osborne on July 8 that ruled housing associations must reduce rent levels by one per cent per annum over the next four years.

Residents have voiced their concerns about the uncertainty around what is going to happen, and the fear that their homes will be demolished.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said the anxiety was taking a huge toll on those who live in the estate and people do not feel they are being listened to.

Petra Braun, who opened German bakery Hansel and Pretzel with her partner in Ham Street in 2009, could have her premises flattened if the plans go ahead.

She said the first she heard of this was when she saw the proposal on a residents’ forum.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

 The wholesale development proposal will have 400 homes built on the site

Ms Braun said: "No one came to ask the businesses for input so for me it came as a bit of a shock.

"Suddenly last minute at this meeting it all came down to two very different options, one of which is not an option at all and the other is one nobody had seen before.

"You just can’t do this without talking to the people before because we don’t know what the implications are for the businesses or people who live here.

"We have no idea if we will have to move or what will happen."

The wholesale development option also involves decreasing the size of the green.

Friends of Ham Green member Alison Esau said: "They promised us they were going to keep the green but they have totally ignored that promise and brought out this ridiculous plan with a running track around it.

"Everybody is absolutely livid."

Other fears included the strain the extra 208 homes, a mix of one to four bed homes, would have on the schools, transport links and doctors surgery.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Hansel and Pretzel: The shop is not currently included in the plan

A statement from RHP said: "In essence RHP cannot afford to deliver a refurbishment option as it will involve significant costs and achieve no additional income.

"At a time of austerity this is just not affordable or realistic.

"Therefore we are faced with a simple choice to either ‘Stay As We Are’ or alternatively carry out ‘Full Redevelopment.’

Councillor for Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside, Penelope Frost, said: "I would be very sad if we fall back into no change as that would show a great lack of ambition."

RHP chief executive David Done said: "We believe that a visionary redevelopment scheme that’ll lead to social, environmental and economic improvements is possible.

"We’ve always been clear however, that for any option to go ahead it must have the support of our customers, be financially viable and lead to a net gain in affordable homes, which is what we’ll be focussing on in the coming months."