The inquiry into a scheme to deliver a 'once in a lifetime' re-imagining of Twickenham has concluded.

The public planning inquiry into the £45 million scheme on the riverside has been presented as a last great opportunity to create a new heart for the town.

The proposal now lies in the hands of the inquiry inspector, Peter Rose, who will make a recommendation to the government on whether it should go ahead.

The scheme has been challenged during eight days of hearings by the Twickenham Riverside Trust (TRT), together with some residents and businesses on Eel Pie Island.

The public planning inquiry into the £45 million scheme on the riverside has been presented as a last great opportunity to create a new heart for the town. Credit: RBC.

At the same time, local councillors and residents have supported the Council in its wish to press ahead.

The redevelopment involves building two new apartment blocks containing 45 homes – 21 of them affordable.

There will be a gastro pub, small shops, a café, offices and a large play area, along with boating and kayaking facilities.

Most significantly, there would be a large open public space for events, ranging from markets to concerts, as well as play areas and an open riverside promenade resulting from the removal of the existing car park.

Objectors, led by the TRT, argue that the scheme will involve losing the Diamond Jubilee Gardens, which will be moved as part of the scheme.

They also objected to the one of the two apartment blocks, which sits on Wharf Lane, arguing it is too tall and overbearing.

The scheme has been challenged during eight days of hearings by the Twickenham Riverside Trust (TRT), together with some residents and businesses on Eel Pie Island.

Presenting the Council's closing statement, barrister Andrew Tait KC, said: "The Scheme Land is unique. It is the only site available for redevelopment that directly connects Twickenham town centre with the river.

"The Scheme Land is ideally located to offer residents and visitors a place to meet, relax and play in close proximity to the river.

"However, unlike the thriving riverside areas in nearby Richmond and Kingston, the Scheme Land is underused and partially derelict.

"It is widely acknowledged that the Scheme Land has been and continues to be subject to anti-social behaviour, including criminal damage, arson and drug related issues."

By contrast, he said: "The redevelopment of the Scheme Land offers a 'once in a life-time opportunity for real and indelible change'."

He insisted there is clear evidence of support from residents, adding: "The Council share this predominant desire of local people to see the Scheme delivered, in order to address the longstanding issues with the Scheme Land and create a 'heart for the community' for the benefit of local people."

And he warned: "Without the Scheme, the future redevelopment of the Scheme Land would be a matter of great uncertainty. It is highly likely that the redevelopment of the Scheme Land would be subject to a delay of

many years."

Mr Tait stressed that one major advantage is that the redevelopment will see a 30% increase in functioning open space, taking it up to 6,005sqm. And the usable space will go up 54% to just under 5,000 sqm.

Closing the case for the Twickenham Riverside Trust, its chairman, Ted Cremin, rejected the Council scheme as a 'missed opportunity'.

He insisted the existing Diamond Jubilee Gardens are much appreciated and used by the community, saying: "The Authority offers no evidence, no data, to support its assertions that the Gardens are an 'underused' space. In contrast, its claims regarding the extent of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity are much

exaggerated."

He derided the proposal, saying: "In the Trust's opinion, the Authority's Scheme brings to Twickenham's unique riverside an aesthetic choice akin to that which prevails in places such as Battersea and Vauxhall, where external areas designed for outdoor amenity sit between tall buildings on all boundaries save for their riverside frontage.

"It is a design decision where the built environment is prioritised over true open space, and it is a choice which, in the Trust's opinion, is entirely out of keeping with the modest, low-rise charm of the rest of Twickenham's riverside buildings and outdoor space."

He also argued that the new open space on offer is 'greatly inferior' to what currently exists.

Mr Cremin argued the planned five-storey building on Wharf Lane was too tall and overbearing and would blot out the sun for much of the day.

He accused the Lib-Dem Council of attempting to rush the scheme, saying the authority was 'determined to 'get it done' at the expense of 'getting it right'.

And he argued the Council did not look at viable alternatives and 'paid scant regard to the many detailed and thoughtful objections'.

The Trust chairman concluded saying: "The Trust feels that the Authority's approach has, unfortunately, been

short-sighted and has missed a huge opportunity."

It may take the Planning Inspector several months to reach a conclusion which would then be passed to ministers for a decision. As a result, the outcome may not be known before Christmas.