Release Date: 20/12/2011

Twickenham station redevelopment plans approved

Plans to redevelop Twickenham Railway Station were approved at the Council’s Planning Committee last night.

The application proposed a number of key improvements to the station, including a modern new station entrance and ticket hall, lifts to all platforms, improved public transport interchange facilities, a riverside walk and a new public plaza.

The Planning Committee discussed the proposals at length, hearing from 8 members of the public and the applicants – Solum Regeneration and Network Rail. The plans are still subject to consideration by the Mayor of London.

Lord True, Leader of Richmond Council, said: “The gestation of this scheme was some time ago when the planning policy regime encouraged developers to think in terms of Twickenham as a potential high-rise zone. Policy changes since then, including approval of a site specific planning brief that encourages lower heights, have played a significant role in the original scheme being substantially modified. The long and careful consideration given to this application demonstrates its significance to the future of Twickenham. Everyone agrees that the existing station is a disgrace. More than 6,000 people pass through the Station every day. With the Rugby World Cup less than four years away, the importance of having a fit for purpose station is being pressed both within and outside our Borough.

“I am disappointed – and this is true of other schemes being suggested for the station – that the original plan offered no improvement to the station at platform level. This was a failure of public duty by Network Rail. By negotiation through a Section 106 agreement and, we hope, though an application to the Mayor’s Outer London Fund, the final scheme will now include platform level improvements the public are entitled to expect. That, at least, should be welcomed by all.

“Through the All in One and Twickenham consultations, thousands of people told the Council they want to improve the area and, indeed, the northern gateway to Twickenham overall.

“I know that many residents were opposed to this application and they have been directly involved in the process, holding the plans to scrutiny. The plans presented were significantly different from those originally proposed by Solum. But a significant number of people have supported the proposal. The Planning Committee will have taken all representations into consideration when making their decision.

“One thing that I think everyone can agree on is that the area needs a new gateway that will bring pride back to Twickenham, creating a sense of arrival for both residents and visitors. For or against, I hope the community will come together in the cause of Twickenham revival. That means the Post Office site opposite is also of great strategic importance. Over the next three years, we will closely monitor the developers to ensure that they deliver a high quality scheme, which sticks to agreed planning policy and is sensitive to the local area’s concerns.”


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