Welcome to the Twickenham Riverside website, put together and maintained by local people who are concerned about the redevelopment of the old swimming baths, and its surroundings, beside the Thames.

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11 April 2012: TRTG Planning Application for Poolsite Buildings

The Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group has lodged a planning application 12/0719/FUL for the remaining buildings on the poolsite. The plans call for renovation of the buildings and the addition of an upper storey to create space for community uses. The buildings are currently empty and in a sad state, except for the Superintendent's House which is home to the charity HANDS.

The proposed appearance of the old Superintendent's house (left) and the toilets (right). Image copyright © Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group		The remaining buildings on the poolsite are: The old Art Deco design café with bow window The former "Superintendent's house" on the Embankment, which now houses the HANDS charity The derelict toilets (which are transposed in the drawings: the ladies' was at the front)
Layout of the proposed scheme. Image copyright © Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group		Proposed uses are for a new riverside community facility including meeting spaces, gallery and potential exhibition space and shared offices for community based and social enterprise organizations. The important part of the site, at the corner of Water Lane and the Embankment - with views upstream and downstream - will be kept as a cafe and viewing platform for all to enjoy. There is no indication of how this work would be funded, although the council has made an undertaking to create a trust that would preserve the poolsite in public use.
Further detail: The Planning Application, with supporting drawings 12/0719/FUL NB: the deadline for comments is 23 April. CAD illustrations of the buildings Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group's rationale for the scheme Despite the Terrace Group's laudable intentions in keeping the buildings on the poolsite for the communit, is regrettable that the designs for the renovations and additions are so resoundingly prosaic. There is a nod to architectural forms in the area at Phoenix Wharf, but none of the old waterfront and wharfside Twickenham is present, and the buildings bear no relationship to the river and the surroundings.

8 April 2012: Work Continues on Poolsite

76 days to opening! The brick planters are in place, and holes are being dug for the trees that will screen the front of the site from the Embankment.

The old poolsite on 8 April, levelled and planters in place. Photo © Yvonne Hewett.

19 Feb 2012: Work Continues on Poolsite

The hoarding between the Secret Garden and the poolsite is gone. (What happened to Boris's tree, planted with such ceremony in the Secret Garden?) Another interesting sidelight: the countdown timer countdown timer (below) on the front of the Café Sunshine now says there are 134 days to the opening.

Cleaning up continues, 19 Feb 2012. Photo © Yvonne Hewett.

Countdown timer on the front of the Café Sunshine, 19 Feb 2012. Photo © Yvonne Hewett.

13 Feb 2012: Work on Poolsite

Clearing the ground and chopping down trees is going on apace. The countdown timer (below) on the front of the Café Sunshine says that the opening will be on Saturday 23 June - a bit after the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, but a good target to aim for.

Cleaning up, 13 Feb 2012. Photo © Yvonne Hewett.

Countdown timer on the front of the Café Sunshine, 13 Feb 2012. Photo © Yvonne Hewett.

131 days from 13 February - Saturday 23 June 2012! Photo © Yvonne Hewett.

8 Feb 2012: Work Begins on Poolsite

Work begins, Feb 2012. Photo © Yvonne Hewett.		Work has begun to open up part of the derelict swimming pool site. The sign on the gate says that the playground will be closed from 3 February and a notice from the HSE says work will take 16 weeks. The council's press release dated 3 Feb says, "Work to create an open public space and complete the first new gardens in Twickenham for a generation started this week, as the Council lives up to its promise to open Twickenham Riverside for all people to enjoy and make 2012 a year for celebration. "Clearance of the long-derelict site of the former open-air swimming pool will be carried out by contractors appointed by the Council between February and June. During the work, the site will be closed for safety reasons and to allow contractors access and to deliver the new gardens within the short period of time. "When the work is finished there will be a grassed area immediately behind Café Sunshine and a park space in front of the old diving board, which will be kept as a memorial to the long struggle to re-open the site.
"A section closest to the old changing rooms would be paved to become a public square which will provide a platform for a number of activities, including musical and theatrical performance. The Council hopes this would tie in to plans for the section of the site which currently has buildings on, which will be brought forward after further consultation during the spring." (NB this includes the old caretaker's house which accommodates HANDS, the local charity.) Full text of the press release Artist's impression - see below

UPDATE 23 Jan 2012: Queen's Hall application refused

The reasons for refusal are set out here. They include: that the application would compromise the continued and future community use of the building; that the design's siting, design, height, bulk, scale and rearward projection of onsite parking represents an overly dominant, visually intrusive and incongruous form of development not responsive to the building's original form and design or to the setting of the site.

In addition, the refusal recommends that any future planning application for the building be submitted to the Theatres Trust, and a full photographic internal record be made and a list created of items to be salvaged, including the plasterwork over the proscenium.

5 Jan 2012: Queen's Hall up for redevelopment

Queen's Hall lies behind the shops on the river side of King Street, in the centre of Twickenham. The hall backs onto the service road that runs along the edge of the poolsite. It has a long and honourable history - it's been the council chamber, the theatre where Lillie Langtree had her debut, a dance hall, and now it's a gym and martial arts centre. Only recently have its hidden features been revealed.

Queen's Hall from the service road, Jan 2012. Photo © Yvonne Hewett. Larger pictures

Detail of frieze inside Queen's Hall. Photo © Memories of Twickenham. Larger pictures

The owners, F&C Reit Asset Management, who bought the King Street property when Dawnay Day went into receivership, are proposing to turn the hall into commercial premises and flats. Its application is at 11/3695/FUL.

To date, a full historical survey of the building hasn't been done. Some parts, including the exterior metal ladder which is the only way to access the top floor, are in a parlous condition. The interior false ceilings hide some of the remaining glory, though there are still elements visible, like Victorian heating vents.

More information:

• Design and access statement for the redevelopment including old photos and building layout (.pdf, 3.1MB, 32 pages, worth the wait to download)
• Archaeological site report , with photos and maps (.pdf, 3.6MB, 53 pages, worth the wait to download)
• Historical Information on the Hall Report by Rowena Scrimshaw, former conservation officer with the council (.pdf, 2.9MB, 20 pages, worth the wait to download)
  
• Article by Teresa Read of the Memories of Twickenham oral history project

5 Jan 2012: The Diamond Jubilee Garden

There's still time to make comment on the council's plans for the poolsite. They're viewable either at the Civic Centre or at the Café Sunshine from 11.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 January. See below for drawings and how comment online.

28 Dec 2011: New for the poolsite - the Diamond Jubilee Garden

The council's plans to open up a large section of the poolsite include a grassed area and a paved public square and keeping the children's play area where it is. There would be a new feature to mark the Diamond Jubilee. Work should start in February 2012 and the gardens are expected to open in June.

	Artist's concept of the proposed design for the Diamond Jubilee Garden on the former poolsite. Larger version here. Drawing ©LBRuT
	Description of the proposed design for the Diamond Jubilee Garden. Larger version here. Drawing ©LBRuT

The plans are on display at the Civic Centre and on the council website. They're also at the Cafe Sunshine, viewable between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on:

• Friday 30th December and Saturday 31st December
• Wednesday 4th January
• Saturday 7th January and Sunday 8th January

Submit your comments via the paper forms at the displays or online to the Jubilee Gardens Feedback.

There will be a consultation in 2012 on the rest of the poolsite (including the former cafe and caretaker's house, now home to HANDS, the local care and support the charity.) The plans are based on the planning permission already received by the Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group (TRTG). Funding of around £500,000 for the work will come from the Council.

According to the council's press release:
'The site will be cleared of 30 years’ worth of weeds, building materials and debris, to be landscaped into three sections: A simple grassed area immediately behind Café Sunshine, a park space in front of the old diving board, which will be kept as a memorial to the long struggle to re-open the site and the last, closest to the old changing rooms, would be paved to become a public square. The Council hopes that square will tie in to plans for the currently built part of the site that will be brought forward after further consultation in 2012. All three would be linked through a running pattern replicating the lanes of a swimming pool, linking to the site’s history.

'An improved entrance to the site from Wharf Lane will be created next to the play area, making it easier for shoppers in King Street and Heath Road to find the site. Pride of place will go to a new feature commemorating the jubilee. The play area will be retained and bounded by a low hedge to keep dogs out. New railings and trees will be installed around the edges of the site for safety and to create ambience.

'The site is immediately behind the Secret Garden which faces the river, and which was opened up in January 2011. Once the clearance work is completed, the two will be linked by the removal of the hoarding at the back of the garden.'

Council Press Release: First images of new Riverside pool site unveiled
Council Press Release: Riverside Jewel to be Borough's Latest Open Space

TWICKENHAM AREA ACTION PLAN
Consultation on the plan for the centre of Twickenham is now taking place. The core includes traffic and access, parking, possible road closures, and needs careful reading. Comments can be made until 10 Feb 2012. The pre-publication version of the plan (for comment) 90 pages, 5.4MB
For more information and how to comment, see the council's web pages on the TAAP

TWICKENHAM ACTION PLAN TO COUNCIL CABINET, 20 OCTOBER

The agenda for the cabinet meeting

Item 10: Twickenham Action Plan - report of options consultation and way forward - See paragraphs 3.6 and 3.14 for the elements relating to the riverside

Report on all the consultations (94 pages)

Consultation on the future of Twickenham and the Riverside closes, 22 July

On Saturday 11 June the council launched the consultation into the short, medium and long-term futures of Twickenham town centre and the riverside. Following on from the All in One consultations in 2010, several main areas for concern have been identified. Three scenarios have been developed and public comment is invited.

Of particular importance are the three scenarios for the poolsite and the riverside, which have possible knock-on effects on traffic and parking, the farmers' market, the riverside economy on Eel Pie Island - businesses and clubs - and the residents on the mainland. These need attention and the consultation leaflet merits close reading.

Twickenham Area Action Plan
Consultation Leaflet for Twickenham town centre and riverside (.pdf, 8 pages, 3.8MB)
Online questionnaire
Word version of the questionnaire email back to ldfconsultation@richmond.gov.uk
All in One Consultation report and All in One results for Twickenham (.pdf, 2 pages, 2.6MB)
Twickenham Villages online forum (moderated, requires registration)

ALSO RELEVANT - briefings created during previous attempts to change the riverside:
Rethink on the Riverside (.pdf, 16 pages, 192KB) - visionary report covering the fragile riverside economy and the needs of residents
Riverside Traffic and Parking (.pdf, 1 page, 18KB) - created in 1999, still relevant to the riverside traffic situation
See below for further useful documents relating to the riverside and the poolsite.

29 June 2011: 'The Frame' - Twickenham's Fourth Plinth project unveiled

Launched in June 2011 by Lord True, Leader of the Council, The Frame is a changing display of artwork created by young people and community groups working with Orleans House Gallery. The aim is to showcase and enjoy local creative talent in beautiful natural settings. The frame itself was designed and constructed by artist Roger Hutchins.

Lord True, leader of the council, and two of the participating students

The first display is inspired by The Thames at Twickenham by artist Peter Tillemans. Painted in around 1724, it is the earliest topographical view of the river frontage at Cross Deep, and depicts many historical buildings which have long since vanished, including the villa of the celebrated poet Alexander Pope. The painting is one of the highlights of the Richmond Borough Art Collection cared for by Orleans House Gallery.

The finished work needs to be seen up close to appreciate the details.

Assisted by artist Rachel Craddock, young people participating in holiday activities, art students from Hampton Academy, Orleans Park School and Waldegrave School for Girls produced a contemporary interpretation of this important local landscape. Students carved their images into individual lino tiles which have been scanned, printed and collaged together to create a contemporary landscape.

4 February 2011: Terrace Group receives Temporary Planning Permission

On Thursday 3 Feb, the council's planning committee granted 5 year temporary planning permission to the Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group to redevelop a large part of the poolsite. This application has been through many versions since it was lodged nearly 2 years ago . This is the current design:

Terrace Group's plan - Oct 2010. Click to see a larger version

Further detail can be seen on the Terrace Group's website.

In their presentation, the Group said that the redevelopment - clearing the poolsite and landscaping - would cost around £800,000, though that was on the basis of an application for a permanent scheme. The temporary nature of the permission may change that.

The application does not include the old pool buildings - the derelict toilets, the derelict former café and the caretaker's house, which is used by the charity HANDS - Help a Neighbour in Distress. Nor does it accord with several of the stipulations in the T1 planning brief for the site - including housing, some retail, river-related uses and bringing people into the area. (For detail, see section 12.54 about halfway down the page at http://www.cartogold.co.uk/Richmond/text/12_local_strat_twickenham.htm). However, the Terrace Group say that the buildings will be subject of a later planning application that should bring the whole site into accordance with T1. A trust will be set up to manage the project. The constitution and membership of that, and the sources of funding, were not revealed.

As well as the temporary status, there are other, stringent conditions - work has to commence within 3 years - and a lot of detail remains to be settled. The planning officer was also at pains to say that the permission wouldn't stand in the way of future planning applications for the property.

Immediate neighbours of the site are concerned about the security of the area at night, and a return to the vandalism, antisocial behaviour and noise (plus problems with flytipping and litter) that occurred before the current high fence was erected. These and other matters, like lighting and legitimate night-time use, will have to be dealt with in the later stages.

Report in the Richmond and Twickenham Times, 11 Feb 2011: Bright future for Twickenham Riverside's former pool site

2 February 2011: Visiting the Secret Garden

Access to the new secret garden is through the wooden door at the end of the terrace in front of Café Sunshine. The door tends to stick and may require some force to open. Inside, the garden is 10 metres by 40 metres. The holes in the hoarding look out onto the remainder of the poolsite.

22 January 2011: Updates

Item one: After nearly two years, the Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group's planning application for the poolsite will be considered by the planning committee on Thursday 3rd February at 6.30pm. For details, see the Terrace Group's website.

Item two: Note from the council: "We are pleased to announce that a further area of the Twickenham Riverside site will be opened up to the public on Wednesday 26th January 2011 at 11.30am. I do hope that you will be able to come along on the day and join us at this event. If you are aware of anyone who may not be notified by this circulation, we would be grateful if you could let them know of the arrangements for the opening. There is no need to confirm your attendance and we look forward to seeing you on the day."

This follows work by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and some local people to open a 12 metre-wide strip from beside the Café Sunshine along the top of the gardens. The remainder of the site is still overgrown and full of rubble.

The poolsite on 26 October 2010

STILL RELEVANT: RETHINK ON THE RIVERSIDE - this paper from 2002 looks at the poolsite and the demands and expectations around it, unchanged in the last 9 years. It's essential reading for anyone concerned with the future of the poolsite and the centre of Twickenham. Introduction and Full Report (.pdf, 16 pages, 192kb)

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, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 for events in those years. The picture archive from the partial demolition of the old pool building is at Pictures 1 and Pictures 2.

On this site you will also find:

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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: