UDP Public Meeting

1.57.00pm GMT Mon 10th Mar 2003

On Friday 7th March Jenny Tonge MP chaired a public meeting at Meadows Hall, regarding changes to the Borough's Unitary Development Plan.

Local Lib Dem Councillors Brian Miller and David Williams (Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside) voiced their concerns at the meeting over some of the more controversial proposals including plans to redevelop Friars Lane car park for residential use, and plans to sell off parkland on the Gothic House site.

A representative of the Canoe Club, who was present at the meeting, was also particularly anxious about the proposed redevelopment of Terrace Yard for housing, as this would leave the club without a car park and thus unable to load and unload their canoes.

Jenny Tonge "I am particularly fond of the Canoe Club and have visited it on a number of occasions. It is used by a lot of young people and is a valuable resource for Richmond. "

"I think that the proposed change to the UDP to redevelop Terrace Yard for housing is typical of the shortsighted approach being adopted by this Council. "

"The number of people who attended the meeting on Friday clearly shows the strength of public feeling on this. The Council have already received 2,600 objections to the UDP amendments. "

"Lets hope they will listen before it is too late."