York House, Twickenham 10am.
Present – Planning Inspector, Council Planning Officers, Appellant – Hamilton Lofts, member of local press & residents from Hamilton, Marsh Farm & Talbot Roads.
The Hearing was mainly concerned with difference of opinion between Richmond Council and Appellant over policy in the Unilateral Undertaking and Section 106 Planning Obligations by the Appellant.
Cathy Cooper, resident of Talbot Road stated that she was satisfied with current plans which involved refurbishment of Victorian Industrial buildings. However she was concerned about high density of the accommodation; small gardens attached to units 22-24 on Eastern Perimeter; noise from recycling and refuse area on Eastern Perimeter; state of boundary wall, traffic and parking impact for residents of Hamilton Road; affordable housing.
The Council was not opposed to the building plans or density. The Appellant stated that the refuse area would be enclosed and the boundary wall replaced. If a CPZ were to be adopted in Hamilton Road, the residents of Hamilton Lofts would not be allowed to apply for parking permits for 3 – 5 years afterwards. CC pointed out that the evenings were the worst time when people came home from work. Whatever happens, it will be a free for all in the evenings and at weekends and if a CPZ is not adopted, during the weekdays too. As local workers use Hamilton Road for free parking, this could have an impact on a much larger area.
After the Hearing there was a visit to the site by all members of the Hearing. Cathy Cooper invited the Inspector, Council and Appellant to view site from her house and garden.
The Appellant has three weeks to sign the Unilateral Undertaking and return to the Inspector. It will then take another three weeks for a decision to be made. Therefore by the end of July, we should all know if there is to be a development at the end of Hamilton Road or not.