Councillors pledge to fight Teddington development

7:50am Friday 3rd September 2004

A MASSIVE development proposal for Sandy Lane in Teddington has been slammed by Hampton Wick councillors.

Linden Homes hopes to regenerate the partly derelict site overlooking Bushy Park, formerly a gas works but now occupied by the Jewson builders' merchants.

Their current plans include 137 apartments for sale on the open market, a further 92 units described as 'affordable housing', a care home, crche and a number of small office units.

Hampton Wick's three Conservative councillors, Roger Avins, Tony Arbour and Pat Parsons, have voiced strong objections to the proposals. Cllr Avins said: "This scheme, which will include 229 flats and offices, is wholly out of place in this important environment. It does not reflect the architecture of its neighbours and will be a brutal intrusion on the view from Bushy Park.

"The density of the proposals will place a heavy burden on local facilities and sets an undesirable precedent. The fact that the developers have submitted two identical schemes suggests that they expect their plans to be rejected and will appeal directly to the government. We would prefer that a more acceptable, much more modest proposal should have been submitted in the first place."

A public consultation was held in July and Linden Homes say they have liaised with a number of key groups such as English Heritage and the Royal Parks Authority - who have now confirmed that they have no objection to the proposals following a number of design alterations.

Commenting on behalf of Linden Homes, Gareth Epps of Green Issues Communications said: "Linden Homes are disappointed that ward councillors have raised objections to the scheme, particularly following such intense and prolonged negotiations and consult-ations with all interest groups. Linden are keen to gain the support of local residents and members alike and would welcome the opportunity to meet the ward councillors to try and agree a mutually acceptable situation."