Residents fears allyed over plans for Victorian industrial site (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Residents fears allyed over plans for Victorian industrial site

11:29am Friday 4th November 2005

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FEARS that part of Twickenham's Victorian industrial heritage could be lost have been met with reassurances by those hoping to develop an old factory site.

Residents living near 37 Hamilton Road believe 'superb edifices of Victorian industrial architecture' will be lost if the development is permitted.

But this week the developers reassured residents that the main Victorian house on the site, a building of townscape merit, will remain intact although warehouses on the site, some of which are Victorian, will be demolished if they get the go ahead.

The plans, currently being considered by Richmond upon Thames Council's planning department, are for six small offices with flats, 29 flats and 34 car parking spaces.

Peter Lineham of Talbot Road said he is concerned about: "the intended demolition of the two larger examples of Victorian industrial architecture on this site, to be replaced with four and five storey blocks of flats."

His sentiments were echoed by Cathy Cooper, also of Talbot Road, who said: "The long term effect will be the loss of Twickenham's rich industrial heritage and identity to money hungry developers."

It is believed the site could be one of the only examples of Victorian industrial architecture left in Twickenham.

There are also concerns about an increase in traffic and that the proposed development is not suited to the area, which contains Victorian cottages. The site, a former electricity works building, is surrounded by an EDF Energy substation, the railway and Hamilton Road and overlooks the Crane Valley.

Matthew Rockel, director of developers Frendcastle said: "There is one quite nice building a Victorian house facing Hamilton Road. It is a designated building of townscape merit and will be kept. It looks residential and might have been the home of the foreman of the factory.

"The rest of the site is warehouses, some Victorian some later. They are not very attractive and in a poor condition."

The plan is for the flats to be built on these sites.

"Because it was an employment generating site we want to keep an employment use there," added Mr Rockel. He also claims concerns about traffic have been addressed by a survey and the decision to provide 34 parking spaces and an area for turning.

Comments on the application can be made to Richmond council by November 16.

The developers wish to hold a consultation day to give local residents the chance to study the plans and gain feedback. Any one interested in attending should contact Mr Rockel on 8392 6600.

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