Residents step up Sandy Lane battle (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Residents step up Sandy Lane battle

7:24am Monday 5th November 2007 in News By Chris Wickham

More than 500 concerned residents have added their names to a petition protesting against a controversial plan to extend a housing development in Hampton Wick.

The Sandy Lane Site Action Group (SLSAG) handed over a list of 568 signatures to London Assembly member Tony Arbour opposing plans to amend a housing development in Sandy Lane, on a plot of land known as the Seeboard or Jewson site.

In 2005 Richmond Council approved a plan to build 198 apartments on the former gas works, as well as a crèche and nursing home, alongside additional retail and office space, but developer Linden Homes has submitted a new planning application seeking permission for 238 units.

In the last month the Royal Parks Agency and the Environment Agency have issued damning condemnations of the proposals but Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has said he supports the plans, which would increase the height of the blocks overlooking Bushy Park, in principle.

David Harnden, SLSAG chairman, said: "The approved plan for three- and four-storey blocks is the most this site can take. Linden's new application for 238 apartments in blocks of up to six storeys would have a disastrous impact on Bushy Park and the neighbourhood."

A Richmond Council spokesperson said no date had yet been set for a decision on the application.