Welcome
to the Twickenham Riverside website, put together and maintained
by local people who are concerned about the redevelopment of the old
swimming baths beside the Thames, and working to support the planned River Centre.
Pictures
1 | Pictures 2 | 1980-2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | Letters | Contact
us | Reports | Useful
links | Council links
About the Twickenham River Centre:
See below
for details. The River Centre will be a place where people of all
ages can learn about the environment, the river and sustainability,
learn to build a boat, fish or row, and watch the world from a great
café.
If you'd like to go on our mailing list, please use the
form below to send us your email address. For letters and comments
on the River Centre, please see the Letters page.
LATEST:
15 April 2008 - Council Cabinet gives go-ahead on poolsite development brief
On 14 April, the
Cabinet voted unanimously to go ahead with the development brief
process for the poolsite. The draft development brief provides the River
Centre,
the play area, public open space and enabling housing development,
with the majority of the parking moved from the Embankment to the service
road
behind the site. Some work remains to be done on the brief, and members
of the public and some councillors expressed concern at the massing
and amount of the proposed housing: the enabling development has to be
kept
to a minimum.
Nine members of the public spoke at the meeting, four from the River Centre project team, four local residents who are generally in favour of the development (subject to massing worries being addressed), and one opposing. Three councillors also spoke, about the site in general, the need to revive the town centre and fill not only the empty shops but also the empty office space, and the educational benefits of the River Centre for the whole community.
The Council Officer's report to the meeting is here (.pdf, 18 pages, 173KB) with appendices showing a projected layout (.pdf, 2 pages, 159KB) and a summary of the consultations (.pdf, 14 pages, 3.7MB, slow download). As soon as the draft development brief becomes available online, we will link to it.
Council press release
9 Mar 2008 - River Centre Sponsors
Click
here for a complete list of the sponsors for the River Centre,
including the groups and individuals who are contributing their support
and are actively involved in making the Centre happen.
13 - 17 Feb 2008 - Poolsite public consultation
The Council, supported by the Environment Trust, held a 5-day consultation at York House on the proposed development brief for the poolsite, followed by a public meeting held by the Twickenham Society, the York House Society, the River Thames Society and other amenity groups to discuss the proposals in St Mary's Church on 18 Feb. More information on the proposals is here on the Council's website.
The exhibition included displays on the River Centre (for details, see below), and a questionnaire - if you haven't completed one, please download it here (.pdf, 2 pages, 92Kb), and give us your feedback on what you'd like to see in the Centre.
Twickenham River Centre conceptual sketch. To see the complete display drawing, click here for medium-size and here for BIG
Courtesy Clive Chapman architects, © Clive Chapman
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What is the River Centre? What will it offer?
- A centre for education about the river and broader
environment, climate change and sustainability for people
of all ages and abilities, provided by Richmond
Environment Network, Thames Explorer Trust, River
Thames Boat Project, Richmond's Biodiversity Action Plan,
Thames Landscape Strategy, and other organisations.
- A 'one-stop shop' offering practical information and
news about the River Thames, sustainability and climate
change, along with exhibits by the Thames Landscape Strategy and organisations with
responsibility for the Thames, and displays giving
information on local water-based activities and clubs.
- A hub for environmental volunteering, a home for the
Environment Trust, BTCV Richmond and Richmond
Environment Network, a base for other environmental
voluntary organisations, giving them access to mentoring,
advice and equipment, and a centre for volunteer training.
- A home for HANDS (Help a Neighbour in Distress), a
charity providing the elderly and housebound with support
and opportunities for social interaction, and Richmond
Volunteer Centre, matching individuals willing to give
their time with organisations looking for support.
- Multipurpose spaces for the activities of all of the above
and for many other local organisations, such as
Twickenham Rowing Club, and events, such as the
Twickenham Festival, as well as a children's playground,
public toilets and a café open to everybody.
- Permanent displays about Twickenham's river heritage,
linking it to river-based sites in the upper Thames, such as
the Henley River & Rowing Museum, and the lower
Thames, such as the Docklands Museum.
- A boathouse, providing public boat hire, maintenance and
repair, practical boatbuilding courses, water safety training,
rowing for the young and those with disabilities, work
experience for young people, and small boat storage, with
a waterfront pontoon to improve access to Twickenham
from the river, encourage river use and enable a ferry
service linking with Richmond and Teddington.
- All in a flagship sustainable building, showcasing 'green'
construction methods and wider sustainability.
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Concept diagram of the River Centre
Courtesy Clive Chapman Architects, © Clive Chapman |
What could the building be like?
The above diagrams by architect Clive Chapman's practice show how the Centre could work, using the way the lower levels of the poolsite flood at high tides, and the 3 metre slope on the site from the Service Road to the Embankment.
- Entrance from the Embankment at the lower level gives access to the boat building area, and the storage for the shallop Jubilant, plus the kiosk for boat rental on the river, and public toilets and changing areas for river activities.
- A timber ramp curves around the building and leads to the next level, the entrance lobby and exhibition space, which looks out over the public open space and down to the river
- This leads into the café and restaurant area, overlooking the playground - moved into place from the far end of the site on one side. On the other side is the education area, two flexibly built classrooms for accommodating school parties and teaching groups.
- Above this, accessible by stairs or the lift, is the lookout space, with views up and down the river.
- At the top of the building, at the back of the site, are offices for environmentally-related volunteering groups.
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3 Jan 2008 - Environment Trust: River Centre Update
A summary from Angela Kidner of the Trust's work on developing the River Centre in the last year, including the activities and facilities it will provide. Read it here (2 pages, 88KB).
23 Nov 2007 - On the Council website: Twickenham Riverside development brief exhibition
The page includes a short description of the parameters for producing the development brief, and the project aims and the priorities for the site.
In addition, there's a .pdf showing the panels that were at the consultations in October and November - download it here (6 pages, 845KB).
11 Nov 2007 - Briefing on Twickenham River Centre
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With an introduction by Sir David Attenborough, this two-page note:
- sets out how the River Centre will breathe new life into the heart of Twickenham;
- shows what could be the design for the Centre;
- gives a brief background on the poolsite and the work of the Environment Trust;
- tells how the Centre will be funded,
- provides a detailed description of what the Centre will offer.
Download the .pdf here (2 pages, 307KB) |
Oct 2007 - Sir David Attenborough becomes Patron of the Twickenham River Centre
Sir David Attenborough on Twickenham Riverside
Photo courtesy Tricia de Courcy Ling
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Twickenham River Centre: Breathing new life into the heart of Twickenham!
The River Centre is planned to be part of the public asset in the redevelopment of the old swimming pool, beside the Thames in Twickenham.
The Centre will be a flagship eco building, where people of all ages and backgrounds can find out about the river, the environment and sustainability. The Centre will have a café open to everybody, public toilets and an updated and expanded children's playground. There will be facilities for boat hire, with a pontoon on the river, openly accessible to the public. Opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to gain hands-on experience of the
river environment and ecology on the foreshore or afloat.
The River Centre project is being developed by the Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames, led by Project Leader Angela Kidner. The Trust is delighted that Sir David Attenborough, a long-time resident of the Borough, has agreed to be the patron of the Centre.
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Clive Chapman explains the River Centre model
Photo courtesy Yvonne Hewett
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Sir David says, 'Fighting the impact of climate change is perhaps the greatest challenge
of this century. It's a matter for individual responsibility as well as government action,
and by making it possible for everyone - particularly young people - to recognise this,
we can go some way towards preventing the situation worsening. Understanding local
eco-systems such as the River Thames through activity and study is a brilliant way to
bring home the message.
'The River Centre will be a focus for understanding and enjoying what the river can
provide, while encouraging a sense of personal responsibility for its future. I am very
pleased to be a part of this innovative project, which brings together local groups and
national organisations to work towards ensuring a sustainable future.' |
River Centre Background
With a track record in environmental conservation
and education and nearly 25 years of experience in
finding ways to open up the borough's heritage to the
community, the Environment Trust, as leader of a
consortium of river-related organisations and river
users, was selected through the Twickenham
Challenge competition as the council's partner to
oversee the community-use element of the
Twickenham riverside development.
The Environment Trust and its partners are
committed to providing a distinctive and sustainable
community-focused building of high architectural
quality as part of the regeneration of the Twickenham
riverside area.
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Sir David and some of the Project Team
Photo courtesy Tricia de Courcy Ling
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Funding the River Centre
The site for the River Centre will be leased from the council at a peppercorn rent. The developer of the overall site will provide the shell for the building.
The Environment Trust will be responsible for the fitout of the building and, through a management organisation or charity, for the running of the River
Centre when it is open. City Bridge Trust has provided £91,000 in funding for project development costs over the next three years. Further funding will be sought from other charitable trusts, the Landfill Communities Fund and local donors.
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21 Oct 2007 - Report on Twickenham Riverside Consultation, 15 Oct
Over 100 people attended the afternoon meeting at Twickenham Rugby Ground on 15 Oct. It began with a briefing by Anthony Benson, Urban Practitioners, on their projected schemes for the poolsite, with one set of plans for possible traffic flows, parking and access, and a second set for the format the development on the poolsite could take. Part of each development is the River Centre, which includes a café/restaurant and public toilets, and Angela Kidner, Clive Chapman and Joe Pecorelli described what the Centre will be like, and what it will provide. (For more information, please see the Environment Trust's website.) It is hoped that the play area will be relocated so it's close to the River Centre café.
Some enabling development will be required, and five different schemes were presented, showing houses, flats, or a mix of houses and flats, plus restaurants in some versions.
There was no background or explanatory material, and the ten options - five for traffic and access, and five for the development - were sufficiently complex to require some study. However, the participants in the workshop, divided into groups, had only an hour to consider and comment on them.
At the end, each group delivered its verdict. The results will be fed into the process of producing the draft development brief.
Of the options for the enabling development, 9 of the 10 groups preferred to have a small number of townhouses (probably 14 or 15), a maximum amount of public open space, and no restaurants except for the one in the River Centre. (Note: no option was given to chose 'None' or 'Just open space'.)
On the traffic side, most groups preferred to have parking removed from the Embankment and placed at the back of the poolsite, along the service road. Several tables suggested an alternative route to be created, by putting a road from the corner of Water Lane and the Embankment, to run at an angle across the site and connect with the service road. This would cut down on the amount of traffic needing to go onto the Embankment and it would avoid going onto the costly private land behind the Abbey building society.
There was a great deal of concern, particularly among people who live in the area or whose businesses and livelihoods would be affected, at:
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the suggestion of making Water Lane and Wharf Lane two-way, with traffic only able to turn left into King Street (and no provision for traffic wanting to turn right towards Richmond and London)
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the suggestion of taking the very popular green space at the bottom of Water Lane for use as a loading, turning and parking area
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the suggestion of losing the loading area at the base of the Eel Pie bridge
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the possible loss of many parking spaces which are used in the local economy and by residents and visitors.
Also not discussed was the feasibility of having flexible parking on the Embankment, so it's kept clear during the day and used for parking in the evening (if the open space is not in use for concerts or events) and overnight.
We understand that there will be an evening briefing meeting in the near future, for those who could not attend in the daytime, but it will not be a consultation.
Council Press Release: Twickenham Riverside consultation hailed a success.
Twickenham Society Group's Recommendations for the Poolsite Development Brief - background and briefing on traffic, parking, and difficult areas. .pdf, 7 pages, 90KB.
21 Sept 2007 - Council's Finance and Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss next stages for the Riverside on Thursday 27 Sept at 7.00 pm
The meeting at York House will discuss the site and possible proposals for it. Urban Practitioners, who have been charged with writing the development brief for the poolsite, will give a presentation, and a model will be on display at York House from 6.00 pm onwards.
The Council's news release about the meeting is here. It includes a call for members of the public to make their views known, and 9 people will be allowed to speak.
The Agenda for the Meeting - the Poolsite is Item 6 - is here.
The report by the Assistant Director Environment: Twickenham Riverside Scheme - update on the key development issues can be read here (10 page .pdf, 133KB).
29 June 2007 - Poolsite Development Brief
The team has been chosen to write the development brief for the poolsite. This brief should be completed in time for the Council Cabinet meeting in December (not September, as originally planned). When it's approved it will then be put out for developers to come forth with their proposals.
The brief writing team are:
27 March 2007 - Notes on Council Cabinet Meeting 12 Mar, on the River Centre
In the meeting on 12 May, the Cabinet decided to proceed with plans to build the River Centre as part of the new scheme for the Twickenham Riverside. The base building cost of the River Centre will be funded through money generated by the commercial and residential elements of the wider scheme for the riverside site. This will leave the Trust able to concentrate on finding funds for the fitting out of the Centre and for operational costs.
At the same time, it was agreed to engage consultants to draw up the development brief for the site, working with Council officers, at a cost of £137,000, already agreed by the Cabinet. A project manager will be taken on by the Council to oversee the work. The Council has promised to consult with local community and amenity groups throughout the process.
The rough time frame looks as if it will be:
- Consultants appointed late in March
- Draw up a draft Development Brief to be delivered to the Cabinet in September
- Bids by developers Autumn 2007 to early 2008
- Developer appointed, development planning application drawn up (tentatively) by mid 2008
The major concerns with the pool site itself remain:
- that the development not be overlarge, or dependent on too much retail or too many cafés and restaurants
- that parking is preserved for local people and businesses (though not necessarily on the riverside)
- there is good access to the riverside for the businesses and clubs on the island
- the local area around the poolsite and the riverside ambience are protected
- the playground be retained, though not necessarily in its current location.
8 March 2007 - The Riverside is Agenda item 18 at the Council Cabinet Meeting on Monday, 12 March at 7.00pm.
The description for the item is 'To agree the next steps for the delivery of a Twickenham Riverside scheme that incorporates a River Centre operated by the Environment Trust.'
The full agenda for the meeting
Leader's Report to the Cabinet: Twickenham Riverside - next steps (.pdf, 10 pages, 110KB).
16 Feb 2007 - Update
The Environment Trust have published a briefing on the proposed River Centre, which can be downloaded here (.pdf, 4 pages, 446KB). It's understood that the Centre will be discussed at the Council's Cabinet Meeting on 12 March.
Please see
our History 1980-2001 page for background
and the details of developments proposed for the pool site prior
to December, 2001; and the pages for 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 for events in those years.
Related
Links:
"The Public Consultations" - Jack Betteridge's
analysis from the 2001 consultations, still relevant
On this site you will also find:
1. |
A
history of attempts to redevelop the derelict
swimming baths site - with key events from 1980-2001, 2002,
and 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. |
2. |
The October
1999 Report of the River Use Working Party,
looking at the site, its surroundings, and possible redevelopment
options. |
3. |
The October
1999 Report of the Traffic and Parking Working
Party, looking at the impact of the development on traffic
flow and parking. |
4. |
The Public Consultations.
Jack Betteridge's analysis of the consultations, the methods and the results, in 2000 and 2001. July 2001 |
5. |
The April
2000 Report of the River
Centre Working Party.
This interim document was delivered to the Council on 13
April. |
6. |
Rethink on the Riverside - prepared for the Twickenham Society Group of Local Societies and Individuals: Introduction and Full Report (.pdf, 16 pages, 192kb). Sept 2002. |
7. |
Twickenham Society Group's Recommendations for the Poolsite Development Brief - background and briefing on traffic, parking, and difficult areas. .pdf, 7 pages, 90KB. August, 2007. |
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Contact
Details
You can contact the Environment Trust on 020 8891 5455 or e-mail rivercentre@environmenttrust.co.uk. If you have any problems with this website, please email riverside@rivercentre.org.uk
You
may also be interested in the information provided about this, and
related topics, on the following websites:
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