The controversial plans to redevelop Twickenham Riverside have been halted until next Summer.

At a meeting of the full council last night, council leader Serge Lourie announced he would not be signing a contract with the proposed developers, Countryside Properties, before summer 2010, allowing people to have their say on the development in the next election.

Coun Lourie said the decision would enable him to keep his pledge not to authorize the contract until he was satisfied with the accounts of the developers and their parent company Copthorn Holdings.

He said: “I have agreed with the deputy chairman of the company that we will not sign a contract until we have examined, with external advisers, the accounts to September 30, 2009. This is expected to be in summer 2010.

“The administration and Countryside Properties continue to be committed to this scheme, which will end 30 years of dereliction of this key riverside site, will contribute to the regeneration of Twickenham and bring a range of community benefits, all at no capital cost to the council tax payers.

“I’m very happy to fight in the election for this.”

More follows later.

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