Residents have called for the future of the controversial Twickenham Riverside site to be decided at the ballot box - in next May’s elections.
At a public meeting, organised by riverside campaigners, more than 200 people voted unanimously for Richmond Council to postpone signing the contract to develop the riverside until the council elections in May, and for the proposal of a housing-based development to be included in the manifesto of the Liberal Democrat group currently leading the authority.
The motion was put forward by Eel Pie Island resident Edward Davies, who spoke at the packed meeting last Thursday evening.
Challenging council leader Councillor Serge Lourie, who did not attend, Mr Davies said: ”If you’re so sure that the development is in the best interest then have the courage to make it an election item and put it on your manifesto. Stand by the name of democrats.”
Leader of the Richmond's Conservative opposition, Councillor Nicholas True, also supported the request saying people had waited more than 28 years for the derelict site to be developed and could wait a while longer if it meant the true views of constituents would be met.
He said: “Of course it should be a manifesto item. It’s been dragging on for months. We’ve waited for a long time - let us wait.
“People care very much about this.
“We have to draw together with an alternative plan. They [the plans] must come from you and from the community.”
His call for community interaction was supported by the results of a questionnaire, revealed at the meeting, which showed that of the 527 people who answered it, more than 99 per cent supported community involvement.
The meeting, held in York House, Twickenham, was organised by members of the Friends of Twickenham Riverside in response to the council’s plans to award a contract to developer Countryside Properties to build 32 houses and a River Centre on the riverside site.
Although the campaigners had asked for a public meeting to be held by the council, before the contract is expected to be signed in October, Coun Lourie said he would meet with community groups individually instead.
Speaking this week Coun Lourie said: “I was invited but I was at a meeting in the National Archives in Kew, which I’d accepted a long time ago.
“I’ve heard nothing from them [the campaigners], no letters, no emails, no communication.
“I respond to all requests but I can’t respond on something I’ve never received.
“We may well hold a public meeting in due course.”
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