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The other application for Twickenham Riverside |
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Twickenham Terrace Group has come up with imaginative proposals for the old baths site on the Thames, including an ice rink, open performance area in the old pool, bars and cafes, children's play area, a camera obscura tower, landing stage, tented pavilions, market stalls, piazzas and open spaces. The group secured a consent from Richmond's councillors in July 2001 with a formal outline submission to remove the top floor of the old baths building and create a roof terrace with railings, with the ground floor converted for tourist information, boat hire and booking office. Archways that are part of the original 1930s structure would be retained as part of a terrace gardens. The scheme was submitted by the late Ken Hathaway, retired architect and Strawberry Hill resident, who died shortly before the planning application was considered by the committee. Because Richmond failed to determine the application within the statutory eight weeks, it went to the Planning Inspectorate for a final decision. The Government Office for London concurred with Richmond's recommendation and last September also gave approval. Only the Twickenham Town Centre Management Board opposed the application, on the grounds it would not make full use of the potential of the site. Other consultees, including the Conservation Areas Advisory Committee, welcomed the proposal, though the CAAC had reservations and stated it eagerly awaited further details. Local amenity groups supported the application along with 20 letters from individuals and a petition of 1,200 names. The officer's report to the committee concluded that the terrace application provided some of the requirements of the Unitary Development Plan and brief. "It
could not be said to prevent the future implementation of the whole
of T1 (site brief) in such a way that I feel able to recommend its
refusal," the report stated. "There are certain aspects identified
that should be of some benefit to the community." |