Images of how the new Riverside development will look have been released as part of the planning application by Richmond Borough Council.

The site will be dominated by two new buildings – one on Water Lane, which runs from central Twickenham to the riverside, and a second at Wharf Lane.

The Water Lane building will have shops on the ground floor, together with a new café looking towards the river, with a series of apartments above.

The taller Wharf Lane building will have a large gastropub or restaurant and offices on the ground floor, with apartments on the four floors above.

The plan is for a total of 45 apartments, with a mix of 50per cent rented at so-called affordable rents and the remainder set to be sold on the open market.

Between the two buildings, the existing Diamond Jubilee Gardens will be reinvigorated with a children's playground, a lawn and space to host outdoor events.

Significantly, there will be a new promenade along the river, removing cars under proposals which gives people priority over vehicles.

The riverside site has been the centre of controversy for decades with successive Council administrations unable to decide how it should be developed and opened up to public use.

Many residents have been lobbying for the building of a Lido on the site, which was the home to an outdoor swimming pool from

1935 until it closed in 1980.

A document published by the Council outlining its plans states: "Twickenham Riverside represents an enormous opportunity to create a heart for the town.

"As competing narratives and interests have thwarted for nearly forty years what could be an outstanding piece of urban fabric connecting the people of Twickenham and beyond to the river, it is time now to think more holistically and for the future.

"The careful integration of building, landscape and riverfront experience can create a new flourishing centre for the local area.

"It is a place where people can enjoy the full beauty and utility of the riverside, improving the physical, social and psychological links between the river and the town.

"A fully mixed-use development of shops, offices and social spaces together with a newly invigorated Diamond Jubilee Gardens, whilst respecting the needs of Eel Pie Island, can create a location where people can work, live, play, enjoy and thrive.

"This creates an opportunity for the Council to deliver an exemplar scheme of high quality, providing residential units of various sizes, 50% of them being affordable, and over 10% being wheelchair accessible or adaptable.

"The flats have been designed to optimise daylight, natural ventilation and river views, with ample storage and external balcony space.

The revitalised gardens provide new play space for all ages, with elevated and open views over the river, whilst the riverside promenade, flexible events space and riverside activity area, provide ample opportunities to get close to the water.

"The café in the gardens, overlooking the play area, and gastro pub/restaurant at the end of the events space will create excellent destination points for residents and visitors, helping to bring the vibrancy of the town to the river."