8:40am Saturday 4th September 2010
By Joanna Kilvington
Campaigners have been left fearing the worst as plans to redevelop Twickenham station keep moving forwards.
A planning application to remove the existing footbridge structures and erect a podium over the railway lines has been submitted to Richmond Council by Solum Regeneration – a partnership between Network Rail and Kier Property.
The developer hopes to transform the site by building a new station, shops, restaurant and 170 flats in three high-rise tower blocks.
The plans have been condemned by Twickenham Residents’ Action Group (Trag), which claims the town does not need another high-rise development metres from Regal House.
Trag members have raised concerns that if the application for the podium is approved, permission for the high-rise blocks will follow.
Speaking on behalf of Trag, Jamie Edwards said: “We believe station improvements can be delivered without having to build 170 flats.
“It’s unacceptable that the developer is asking for permission to build foundations for 170 flats in high-rise blocks, prior to any plans for an associated development being submitted.
“The worst-case scenario is we get this huge concrete podium, and the developer is not allowed to build on it.
“Then we are left with yet another eyesore for Twickenham, to partner Regal House.”
Trag have also raised concerns about the disruption the work would cause residents living around the station, claiming bus routes and walkways would be closed and St Mary’s Terrace shut off for 15 months.
The group have a stall every Saturday at the top of Water Lane, Twickenham, to collect signatures on a petition opposing the development.
A public consultation is being carried out and the council will consider the results when it decides the application.
A decision is expected in late autumn.
Twickenham MP Vince Cable has called on the council to think carefully about the decision.
He said: “I would urge the council to deal with this application robustly.
“We desperately need a modernised station, but residents’ concerns must be taken into account.”
A Solum Regeneration spokesman said: “An application to construct the podium element of the scheme has been submitted in order for our construction works to coincide with Network Rail’s own works to extend the platforms at the station.
“We have consulted the council and been advised to submit a separate application for the podium, in order to allow time for genuine consultation on the proposed development and the consideration of the main application.”
The application can be viewed in the planning section on the council’s website, richmond.gov.uk, reference number 10/1972.
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