A team of community groups have joined forces to organise a referendum and give residents the chance to have their say on the controversial Twickenham Riverside development.

The groups - Friends of Twickenham Riverside, Referendum on Riverside (RoR), Richmond United Group, Save Our Riverside, Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group - have fervently opposed plans by Richmond Council to develop the former Twickenham pool site on the riverside and turn it into luxury housing and a river centre.

The authority has chosen Countryside Properties Ltd as developer for the scheme - which would include knocking down a children’s playground and popular cafe, Arthur’s by the River, which will close on June 16.

That decision was upheld at a meeting of the borough’s co-ordination, finance and performance commission on Tuesday.

But protesters have argued the public do not want the land handed over to a private firm for housing - with the borough’s environment trust basing themselves in a new river centre - and have called on Richmond Council to listen to the people.

Protesters have stumped up £4,000 - personally underwritten by a leading opponent - for a referendum to be carried out by the independent Electoral Reform Services (ERS).

Ballot papers were due to drop through doors in Twickenham today and residents have until June 24 to return their papers.

The ballot area includes part of South Twickenham and Twickenham Riverside council wards and stretches from Twickenham Green to Marble Hill Park and from the River Thames to the railway line.

Julie Hill, one of the protesters, said: “The council refused to hold a referendum so we have done it ourselves.

“We are paying for it, it is a proper referendum. The ERS will collate the results for us.”

The organisers are welcoming donations to support the costs of the referendum and anyone wishing to help can pay money into the RoR account at HSBC - sort code: 40-44-39, account number 51637622.

Cheques payable to: "Referendum on Riverside" can also be sent to Arthur’s, Jubilee Gardens, The Embankment, Twickenham, TW1 3BX.

For more information email richmondunitedgroup@hotmail.com