The Twickenham Riverside Trust has published new details of its challenge to plans for a new development on the banks of the Thames.

The multi-million pound scheme would create a new public open space, playground, car-free promenade, 45 apartments, pub, café and shops.

However, the scheme is under threat because the Trust, which controls a large area of the site – the Diamond Jubilee Gardens – has launched an objection.

The scheme is being promoted by Richmond Borough Council and it has offered the Trust a new area alongside the development to replace the Gardens.

Councillors have launched a formal Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the Jubilee Gardens so it can press ahead with planning permission and appointing developers.

But the scheme is now in doubt because the Trust has objected to the CPO after receiving professional advice raising concerns about key aspects of the scheme.

Specifically, the Trustees argue that they replacement public space is inferior to the existing Jubilee Gardens. The details of this objection are currently confidential for legal reasons.

They state: "We have a statutory obligation, as defined by the Charity Commission, to ensure that any exchange or reprovision of land is 'equally advantageous' to what exists today.

"The professional advice we have received is that the public open space provided for in the CPO is not of equal advantage to what exists today and so we have no choice but to contest it.

"By objecting to the CPO, we are fulfilling our duties to protect public open space."

The Trust has made an objection to the CPO with the Secretary of State responsible for major planning issues, Michael Gove. If they are successful, the entire scheme could fail or, at least, be seriously delayed to allow for a public inquiry.

Significantly, the Trust has made clear it does not object to the redevelopment scheme in itself, rather it opposes the process involved.

They state: "The Trust was founded in 2011 with the primary purpose of preserving, protecting and improving the riverside for the benefit of the public.

"Riverside redevelopment is long overdue in Twickenham, and we take our role as a key stakeholder in helping to make that happen extremely seriously.

"Our desire is for an agreement with the Council for the disposal of the land which ensures that, at the very least, the overall amount and quality of public open space currently enjoyed by the public on Twickenham riverside will be available to all in the redevelopment."

The group intends to resume talks with the Council to see whether their concerns about the public space they are being offered can be resolved.

Trust chairman, Luke Montgomery-Smith, said the group has a legal duty to protect public space and ensure the community does not lose out by giving up the Jubilee Gardens without getting alternative land that is at least as good – if not better.

He said: "We have set out clearly via our submission that we were left with no choice but to contest the Council's regrettable CPO and this fulfils our duties to protect public open space.

"Regardless of this ongoing legal process, our intention is to continue negotiating with the Council to try and reach an agreement for the disposal of the land which ensures that, at the very least, the overall amount and quality of public open space currently enjoyed by the public on Twickenham riverside will be available to all in the redevelopment."

In the objection to the CPO, the Trust argues the Council has failed to properly investigate ways to change the scheme to improve public space.

It argues pursuing the CPO is premature because the Council 'has not exhausted its attempts to secure land and rights by Agreement'.