Future youth provision in Twickenham

Earlier this year over 1,500 young people across the borough had their say about the future of Heatham House. Over 60% of those who responded were in favour of a re-provision of a youth centre onto the neighbouring development, indicating their preference for a new, modern and custom-built youth facility.

However, the results also showed that young people had concerns about the two options presented. Whilst a stand-alone facility was preferable, this option was based at the back of the site and would result in the loss of the current sports pitches and an unlikelihood that alternative flood lighting would be given permission.

Therefore developers, St James (part of the Berkeley Group), have reviewed their proposals and are now suggesting: a four storey, stand-alone centre at the front of the site opposite the railway station that would retain the current sports facility.

The consultation with young people will take place between 2 April and 2 May 2012.

The Council is committed to ensuring that there is high quality provision of youth services in Twickenham and is keen to consult young people on whether this alternative option would be preferable to retaining the service at Heatham House.

The Council will consider the consultation results and the preferred option identified by young people but reserves the right as the landowner to make a final decision, based on a considered appraisal of all the issues.

Consultation scope:

The consultation is open to young people aged 9 to 19 years old and up to 24 for those with a learning disability or difficulty that reside and or are educated within the borough.

The consultation is focused on presenting the following two options for future youth provision in central Twickenham, providing young people with an opportunity to indicate their preferred choice.

See the map of where the options are located(pdf, 348KB)

Option one: Provision of a state of the art custom built youth facility

Provision of a new youth centre based at the front of the proposed development on the former sorting office site, opposite the train station as a stand alone building. The proposed overall floor space within the new youth facility is 1,398 square metres. The new facility would provide full disabled access. The existing outdoor sport facilities that Heatham House currently has within its grounds would remain and would be accessible through a dedicated footpath to the side of the building.

View the proposed concepts for option one(pdf, 1988KB)

Option two: Retain youth provision at Heatham House

Retain youth provision at Heatham House and its existing outdoor sports facilities. Current floor space is 778.2 square metres. Heatham House currently does not have full disabled access.

View the existing provision at Heatham House Youth Centre(pdf, 2639KB)

How to get involved

The consultation has now closed. Thank you for submitting your preferred choice. The results will be announced shortly.

Frequently asked questions

For your information, a document of frequently asked questions(pdf, 214KB) for the consultation has been created. If your question isn't answered within this document, please email: youth@richmond.gov.uk