On Tuesday 19 June we were advised by Chris Bazley-Rose, Planning Casework Manager for the Secretary of State that ‘I have been notified that application 17/4213/FUL has been formally withdrawn’. Later that day the new Council Leader Gareth Roberts tweeted to confirm that ‘the planning application for the previous scheme has been withdrawn’…‘as part of our ongoing commitment to deliver a better scheme for #TwickenhamRiverside’ HIP, HIP, HOORAH Prior to the Council elections and since we've had meetings and discussions with Gareth and some of the Twickenham Cllrs (Lib Dem and Green) to discuss our vision for Twickenham Riverside. We fully expect the Lib Dems to honour their pre-election promise made on their website on 11 April: ‘A Liberal Democrat administration would seek a whole site solution, including taking steps to remove parking from the Riverside, creating a proper town square and giving the Diamond Jubilee Gardens the chance to shine.’ To help focus their efforts we prepared and presented them with some draft Objectives and Principles for Twickenham Riverside: OBJECTIVES ✔️Twickenham Riverside - A Beautiful Space - for People (not vehicles) ✔️To deliver a full site solution that will bring back life and interest to the town centre and provide a major attraction for residents and visitors to this unique riverside location. This will aid regeneration of the whole town centre ✔️To create an even better destination than Richmond Riverside ✔️No additional net cost to the Council (over previous spend) FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES ✔️Pedestrianise the Riverfront (by removing the Embankment road and relocating parking). Ideally, relocate parking from Water and Wharf Lanes too. ✔️Increase Public Open Space (more than DJG) ✔️A Large Riverside Town Square which is suitable for a wide variety of events such as farmers markets. Usable area greater than 2,000 sqm (note: Heron Square in Richmond is 1000sqm) ✔️A Riverside Park along the riverfront, to include pedestrian and cycle routes, a family centre (playground, cafe...) ✔️Boathouses for various Riverside Activities (boats, boards, bikes, arts, crafts...) ✔️Cafe and Restaurant space facing onto the town square & riverfront ✔️Service Access/Road & EPI servicing area. ✔️Keep essential parking on site. OPTIONS • Underground Car Park • Community Space for Gallery/Local Info • Mixed Retail • Residential (with affordable/social housing) • Offices and Small Business Units • Small Hotel • Lido • Landing Stage / Pontoon for small craft The Full Riverside Site comprises: o The 1 King St/Water Lane purchase site o Derelict Pool site o DJG o The Embankment, Water Lane, Wharf Lane and the service road to rear of King St. o Ideally to include redevelopment proposals for rear of King St in conjunction with Evergreen. o Ideally to include slipway improvements (not Council owned) Further to this we have prepared a development framework document to outline the process steps we believe are required to deliver a successful solution for Twickenham Riverside that includes team structures (Council, professionals, local groups), generation of a development brief and a competitive design selection process leading to a new planning application and consultation. We’re really looking forward to working with the Council and local residents to deliver a #ParkNotCarPark. We hope you will continue to support us. Please continue to comment on our petition updates and/or email us at twickriversidepark@gmail.com