Agenda item

Phased redevelopment of Twickenham Railway Station to provide:

Phase 1.Removal of existing footbridge structures and access gantries to the platforms.  Provision of temporary replacement access gantries, including relocation of the out of hours access ridge, adjustment of existing platform canopies and rebuilding of a section of the London Road wall.  Erection of a concrete raft over the railway lines.

Phase 2.Demolition of existing station building and temporary provision of ticket office during construction period. A new station concourse with stair and lifts to platform level; three buildings ranging in height between 7 storeys and 2 storeys (where measured from London Road Bridge) comprising 115 residential units, 734 sq.m of flexible Use Class A1 (Retail) A2 (Financial and Professional Services) and A3 (restaurant and cafe) , plant space, a combined heat and power plant, and green roofs; sustainable transport facilities to include a taxi rank, kiss and ride and car club spaces, 27 commuter car parking spaces (including 3 disabled spaces), 7 residents disabled spaces, delivery and servicing spaces, 3  electric car charging points, 250 covered cycle spaces for commuters and 208 covered cycle spaces for residents; provision of a new station plaza, river walkway including children's play space, soft and hard landscaping; and off site highway works to include the relocation of the existing bus stop.

Officer’s recommendation:  PERMISSION, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement and no adverse direction from the GLA.

The Development Control Officer provided a comprehensive introduction to the report and referred the Committee to the addendum (as appended to the minutes).

The Committee heard representations against the application from Mr Gillum, Mr Milner, Mr Heads, Ms Evans, and Mr Blackman who were local residents; and from Mr Mellor and Mr O’Neil who were consultants on behalf of a residents’ association.

The Committee heard representations in support of the application from Mr Brett, a local resident, Mr Graham, the architect, Mr Kistruck on behalf of Network Rail, and Mr Rutter, on behalf of Solum, the applicant.

The Committee heard representations from Councillor Coombs, Councillor Khosa and Councillor Naylor, who spoke as interested Councillors.

The Committee considered the information provided by officers and the points raised by speakers. Members considered the merits of the scheme and balanced this against the perceived disadvantages of the proposal. Members discussed the design of the scheme and the height of the buildings, considering whether departure from the Council’s Development Management Plan and Supplementary Planning Guidance could be justified in the context of the provision of enhanced station facilities and new public realm. The Committee considered the lack of provision of affordable housing and whether this was acceptable in the context of the viability study and the section 106 financial obligations that were proposed.

The Committee considered the impact on the street scene and neighbouring amenity in the vicinity of the site, and in particular whether the height and scale of the proposal would create a sense of enclosure for the residents of Mary’s Terrace. It was recognised that there were disadvantages to the scheme, but Members considered that the benefits of the scheme outweighed the potential harm, and that the conditions secured would mitigate the harm. Members were concerned about the lack of disabled toilet facilities at the station site and about potential construction issues for residents of Mary’s Terrace and Cole Park Road.

It was Resolved:

That the application be APPROVED; subject to no adverse direction from the Greater London Authority; subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the officer’s report; subject to the completion of a section 106 legal agreement; and subject to the following amendments:

Additional Condition: Notwithstanding the details shown on the approved drawing T(20)P00 Revision D, disabled toilet facilities accessed from the ticket office hall shall be provided prior to the occupation of phase 2 of the development (with the exception of Block C) and in accordance with details which have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of construction of phase 2 of the development and thereafter maintained.

REASON: To ensure the provision of a satisfactory and convenient form of development for people with disabilities.

Variation to the Section 106 Heads of Terms: to secure the submission of a Demolition and Construction Management Statement which includes the provisions set out in condition NS49 and secures full funding for the employment by the Council of an officer to liaise between the residents of Mary’s Terrace, Cole Park Road, the site owner(s) and their contractors for the period of time of construction.

Subsequent deletion of condition NS49.