Demolition of East Sheen property ‘would be like the Army coming’ (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Demolition of East Sheen property ‘would be like the Army coming’

9:30am Sunday 28th June 2009 in

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Richmond is no stranger to planning disputes, and the latest to join a long list has been likened to a planned military invasion.

A proposal to demolish Graemesdyke Cottage and double garage in Graemesdyke Avenue, East Sheen, and replace it with two flats and four houses is already proving unpopular.

Ray Perrin, of neighbouring Langdale Close, lashed out at the idea, and the self-proclaimed campaignerissued a strong warning to any developer going near the site.

The 76-year-old said: “I’m known for my campaigning and they will be up against me.

“It would be like having the Army and tanks coming through, it’s disgusting quite frankly.

“Ninety per cent of us here are opposed to it.

“Life’s hard enough now I’m in my twilight years and I don’t want all this outside my French windows, it’s shameful.”

Mr Perrin claimed the proposal will “desecrate the environment” by building over the garden area and felling trees, leaving residents with a concrete “eyesore”.

However, Ian Felgate, of Paul Brookes Architects, which is responsible for the design of the scheme, disagreed.

He said: “We have tried to be very careful with the proposals so they have the minimum impact on the adjacent residents.

“We did have a public exhibition a couple of weeks ago.

“Twenty people turned up and lots were quite complimentary about the scheme.

“We are trying to do a very green, ecological and sustainable scheme.”

Mr Felgate admitted some trees would be filed but said there would be new ones planted.

He said front and back gardens would remain “quite large” in keeping with neighbouring properties and there would be roof gardens installed.

Richmond Council’s planning committee is expected to consider the application within the next six weeks.

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