New designs for Jolly Boatman site

8:00am Friday 4th July 2008

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Alternative plans for a controversial site opposite Hampton Court Palace will not appease campaigners fighting to stop the development of the land, it was revealed this week.

Late last year a proposal drawn up by developer the Gladedale Group, in consultation with Network Rail and the Royal Star and Garter Homes, was submitted to Elmbridge Council for the area around Hampton Court station, known as the Jolly Boatman site, which has been derelict for more than 20 years.

Last week Gladedale announced it had submitted updated designs for the scheme - which includes a hotel overlooking the river, a refurbished station building, and a new care home for the Royal Star and Garter Homes charity, providing accommodation for disabled elderly ex-service men and women.

But the Hampton Court Rescue Campaign (HCRC), the group founded to fight off previous proposals for the site, said the revised drawings did not alter its view that the riverside plot specifically should remain an open space and free from the proposed multi-storey development.

Paul Lemar, land and planning director for Gladedale, said the developer had listened to opponents of the scheme and comments from English Heritage and Elmbridge Council, and submitted a revised application with a redesign of a proposed riverfront square between the hotel and the river to retain Lutyens' listed embankment.

"We have also decided to submit a second, more traditional design for the council to consider," he said. "We are willing to build whichever option is preferred."

A HCRC spokesman said the group had not seen the amended plans and applauded the move to retain Lutyens' embankment but pledged to fight on to make sure the final decision was heard at a public inquiry.

Elmbridge Council will make a final decision on both applications later this year.