Developers planning to build a hotel next to Hampton Court Palace do not want to sell the land to campaigners who have proposed an alternative project.


Gladedale, which owns the controversial Jolly Boatman pub site, declined a £1.5m offer by Andrew Roberts, of Thames Ditton, who wanted to preserve the beautiful views of the palace.


Mr Roberts submitted a planning application for a riverside green space to Elmbridge Council on Wednesday, July 11.   


Ross Brodie, managing director of Gladedale Estates, said: “We are aware of the recently submitted planning application but wish to reaffirm our commitment to deliver the comprehensive scheme, which has already been approved by Elmbridge Council in conjunction with Network Rail.


“We have previously made the applicant and his agent aware that we do not wish to sell our site which is an integral part of the overall consented development. As such, the application submitted is simply not deliverable as the applicant does not have control of the land.


“We have recently collaborated with Historic Royal Palaces to undertake temporary landscaping improvement works on our site which will remain in place throughout the year until we start work on the comprehensive development in early 2013.”