Results of Twickenham Riverside Redevelopment consultation

The council has been debating what to do with the site for 40 years since the lido closed in 1980.

And in a recent public consultation, over half of residents asked said they would be more likely to visit the proposed Twickenham Riverside redevelopment.

From January 6 until February 3, 2021 residents were asked their views on the proposals– with 829 people taking the opportunity to have their say.

The findings, which will influence final proposals submitted this summer, showed that:

• 89% of people who took part in the consultation visit Twickenham Riverside regularly (at least daily, weekly or monthly)

• 84% of people who took part in the consultation said that they would be either more likely or just as likely to visit the Riverside after the redevelopment (54% more likely).

• 73% of people agree that the proposed development achieves the ambition of high-quality open space and pedestrianised priority.

Twickenham Riverside redevelopment

Hopkins Architects and Richmond Council have been developing plans for the Twickenham Riverside site for the past year, following a design competition held in 2019.

The scheme aims to deliver affordable housing, office space, shops, a café and a pub/restaurant.

The Diamond Jubilee Gardens will be relocated into the centre of the proposed development, with suggestions for event space, a children’s play area and pétanque pitches.

However, the consultation has been met with criticism from Richmond Conservatives, who are calling for “honesty and transparency” over the costs of the redevelopment plan.

The group argue that the anticipated figure, of above £35m, is too high.

Cllr Paul Hodgins leader of the Conservative Group on Richmond Council said: “When elected, the LibDems made a promise to listen and to be transparent. But they have done neither, and only said that because it was election time.

“Given the investment required across the borough, residents need to know how much this LibDem project is going to cost before deciding whether this is the right plan.

“Residents from Hampton Wick to Heathfield and Twickenham to Barnes are going to be angry when they find out how much extra money has been committed to this one project only when it is too late to do anything about it."

Cllr Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: “The proposals this Liberal Democrat administration are putting forward are by far the most popular and well received scheme that any council has put forward since the swimming pool closed.

"Local residents like this scheme and they want to see it delivered. If the Tories think their path back to power in Twickenham will be by opposing public investment in this key site to create a beautiful riverside destination, and in doing so block the first scheme ever that has had broad public support, then they will find themselves losing at the next and subsequent local elections, and deservedly so.”