Hampton Wick planning appeal rejected (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Hampton Wick planning appeal rejected

5:02pm Wednesday 29th October 2008

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Campaigners have won their battle against plans to extended a housing development in Hampton Wick after a Government inspector found in their favour this week.

Planning inspector Mary O’Rourke announced on Tuesday she would not allow an appeal by developer Linden Homes to alter planning permission granted in 2005 to develop a former gas works in Sandy Lane.

Linden has permission for 198 apartments on the site, known as the Jewson site, as well as a creche, nursing home, retail and office space but has been told it cannot amend that to build 234 units on the site, with five-story blocks overlooking Bushy Park.

The developer lodged an appeal against Richmond Council’s delay in making a decision on the new proposal but Ms O’Rourke dismissed Linden’s claims for amended permission, to the relief of the Sandy Lane Site Action Group, which has been fighting the changes.

David Harnden, from the campaign group, said it was a community effort and said the council, Twickenham MP Vincent Cable and councillors on both sides of the political divide had played their part in getting the appeal overturned.

“It’s a big relief,” he said. “Things like this are a subjective judgement and we are very pleased she agreed with us.

“The approved application was only agreed on balance and was seen as the maximum that site could hold.

“In the reasons for refusing the appeal the inspector said five storeys would be too high for Bushy Park and the surrounding residential streets.”

Hampton Wick Councillor Tony Arbour said it was a triumph for residents and an “outbreak of common sense over developer greed”.

A Linden Homes spokesman said the developer was disappointed with the decision and would review the comments made by the inspector before considering its next steps.

Mr Harnden added that he hoped this would be the last attempt to alter planning permission and said it would be a relief when the building is finished.

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