The owner of celebrity fish restaurant Scott's is at the centre of a row over his plan to open a new outlet on a prestige site on the riverside in Richmond.

Restaurant entrepreneur, Richard Caring, who also owns The Ivy, plans to open a sister outlet to the famous Mayfair establishment on the banks of the Thames.

However, he has run into opposition to the scheme from renowned architect Quinlan Terry and the Richmond Society, which is the defender of the area's historic buildings and heritage.

The new Scott's is planned for a site on Whittaker Avenue, close to Richmond's old town hall.

However, the proposal involves major changes to the building, including creating a vast new glass canopy, which would allow diners to eat in comfort all year round while enjoying the view of the river and the historic Richmond Bridge. There are also plans for canopies over the windows at ground floor level.

Renowned architect, Quinlan Terry is objecting to the plans, arguing they would disfigure a highly visible part of Richmond Riverside - his award-winning neo-Georgian development, which was opened by the Queen in 1988.

He has lodged an objection with Richmond Council against proposals to fit a glass enclosure on a first floor balcony overlooking the river and the canopies to ground floor windows.

The Richmond Riverside development, which includes offices, flats, shops, restaurants, community facilities, underground car parks, an urban square with fountain and riverside grass terraces, has won multiple awards.

Mr Terry said: "As the architect for the design and construction of Richmond Riverside and in particular this building which I carried out in the mid-1980s for Haslemere Estates, I wish to register my strong objection to these proposals."

The Richmond Society, a civic and amenity charity of more than 1,100 members concerned with the town's natural and built environment, has also objected, saying the Riverside site is one of the most significant developments in Richmond.

The Society has welcomed Scott's plan to come to Richmond and says it hopes the company will reconsider the proposed design.

It said: "The Riverside Site designed by Quinlan Terry is one of the most significant developments in Richmond facing the River Thames. It is within the Richmond Riverside Conservation Area.

"Enclosing the first floor balcony with a glass structure and fitting the proposed canopies on the ground floor would be

entirely out of keeping with the design and appearance of the building.

"The visuals clearly show how the glass structure and multiple canopies would destroy the harmony of the building's facades, in particular the riverside facade."

Scott's planning representatives say the new glass canopy is similar to others that have been built in the borough, for example on the Alexander Pope Hotel, in Twickenham.

Scott's was originally opened as an oyster warehouse in 1851 by a young fishmonger by the name of John Scott and rapidly evolved into the now famous seafood restaurant and oyster bar. It is amongst the five oldest restaurants in London.

The original Scott's is a Michelin star fish restaurant on Mount street in the heart of Mayfair that boasts big celebrities amongst its customers, including Steven Spielberg, Simon Cowell and Kate Beckinsale.

Scott's is famous for its oysters, sole and champagne. The menu at the Mayfair restaurant puts the price of a 16oz Dover sole at £45, while the 'fish of the day' for one is put at £38.

When Mr Caring announced plans for the Richmond restaurant, he said it would take inspiration from his glamourous Berkeley Square sushi restaurant 'Sexy Fish'.

'Sexy Fish' is much loved among the London foodie scene and is a hotspot for A-list celebrities including Tom Hanks and Victoria Beckham.

Caring, who's empire includes a culinary school to train up his new staff, has promised this new version of Scott's will have 'a little more sashimi, a little more fun on the river'.

Sexy Fish takes its inspiration from Asia, with a focus on Japan – sushi, sashimi, tiradito, tempura and robata. The full Sekushi menu offered by 'Sexy Fish', which includes 10 signature dishes, costs £95 per head.

The location for the restaurant became available after the Revolution bar closed permanently during the third national lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic.