The Twickenham Riverside Trust released a statement on Wednesday (20 December) announcing that they have accepted the outcome of the Public Inquiry into Richmond Council's proposal for developing the Twickenham Riverside. 

The statement said: "While Trustees are naturally disappointed by the Inspector's decisions and his failure to address many of the core issues raised by the Trust in his report, the Trust now wishes to focus on the future and a positive agenda for the Riverside.

"Over the last three years, Trustees have been obliged to dedicate a huge amount of time and effort to respond to the Council's redevelopment proposals, liaising with the Council and raising objections in its defence against the Compulsory Purchase Order placed on the Diamond Jubilee Gardens. 

The statement added: "Under the Trust's articles and its lease on the Gardens, Trustees objected to the Order, and particularly to the Wharf Lane building and the impact that its height and massing will mean for the public open space on the Riverside.

An artists impression of the development (Photo Credit: RBC).

"In this context, the Trust welcomed the intention to redevelop the derelict old pool buildings and the three retail units on King Street (known as the Santander block), thus opening up easier and better access to the Gardens and the Riverside.

"It had also agreed to the removal of the car parking on the river embankment. 

"Now that Trustees have decided not to appeal the Inspector's decision via a judicial review, the way is open for a new era of co-operation and for more energies to be devoted to encouraging the public's enjoyment of Twickenham's historic and unique Riverside."

Trust Chair, Mark Brownrigg, has said: "The Trust wishes the Council well in carrying forward its project.

"We intend now to press on with other practical actions under our charitable objectives, including bringing the community together to continue to 'preserve, protect and improve' the Riverside and its environs into the future and to 'advance the education of the public in the history and environment of the area'. 

"We will be continuing in 2024 to provide and encourage events on the riverside, beginning with the celebration of the Lunar New Year in February.

He added: "Another exciting new project will be the creation of a 'Friends of Twickenham Riverside' group to join with Trustees and other supporters to share in the task of safeguarding and caring for the public space on the Riverside and optimising activities for the benefit of local residents and visitors."

The trust had opposed the Twickenham Riverside redevelopment scheme, which would see 45 new homes, shops, cafés, open space and a pub built next to the river.

The Twickenham Riverside Trust had opposed the scheme on the grounds that the block that would be situated at Wharf Lane would be too tall.

They also wanted to see The Diamond Jubilee Gardens retained and expanded as part of any scheme to redevelop the Riverside, rather than moved to a new, larger area on the site, as proposed in the plans.

The Council's Compulsory Purchase Order for Twickenham's Jubilee Gardens was approved by the inspector in November.

Previously, the Twickenham Riverside Trust had the lease over the gardens.

Richmond Council has been contacted for comment.