The party political battles over the £45m redevelopment of Twickenham Riverside have been laid bare at a public inquiry.

Councillors from the ruling Lib-Dem group on Richmond Borough Council told a planning inquiry this week how the scheme had widespread public support.

While the Conservatives, in the form of past and present councillors, spoke out against with one arguing that much of the existing site should be retained, including the embankment car park.

Astroturf area of existing Diamond Jubilee Gardens (Credit RBC)

A planning inquiry is being held into the Council's attempt to pursue a Compulsory Purchase Order to buy the little used Diamond Jubilee Gardens.

This area will be partially built on for the redevelopment of the site, which will include two apartment blocks with 45 homes, plus a pub, café, shops and some offices.

Significantly, the gardens would be moved to a new larger public open space in the middle of the scheme, leading down to the riverside and a new car-free promenade.

The future of this key site in the heart of Twickenham has been at the centre of political wrangles dating back 40 years with many schemes devised and killed off with changes in the political control of the Council.

The Council hopes to, finally, 'Get the Riverside Done' with its scheme, originally designed by renowned architects Hopkins, who won a design competition, and the support of groups across the community.

Lib-Dem Cllr James Chard, who was speaking on behalf of ward councillors, told the inquiry this week that the scheme was at the heart of the local election campaigns last May. This saw the Lib-Dems claim a landslide victory, wiping out all but one Conservative.

He said: "In our view as councillors the quality and quantity of the public open space in the plans is demonstrably and significantly superior to the existing.

"The improvement does not stop there. Crucially the re-provided site connects far better with the river and town, which has long been an aspiration for residents and businesses in the area."

He said the planned café, offices and homes would bring people to the riverside, breathing new life into the area.

On the politics of the scheme, he said: "The Riverside plans were major elements of both our and our opponents campaigns last year.

"Our active support for the Hopkins scheme which at that time was already under consideration by planning officers was front and centre of our campaign.

"It was also front and centre of the Conservative campaign, including in borough-wide leaflets.

"This was not hidden away in a manifesto smallprint, it was shouted out in headlines and illustrated in pictures of the proposal.

"Overall … out support for these plans was widely seen as a big positive by local people while the Conservatives opposition went down like a lead balloon."

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, who is joint deputy leader of the Lib-Dem group on the council, said: "There is an important opportunity to be grasped here to create a better sense of place and connectedness, including by extending the vibrancy of Church Street … with its lively café culture and its varied mostly independent shops, to and through the development site.

"The new scheme with its mix of residential, community, commercial and open space uses, will attract increased footfall from residents and visitors and bring the associated social and economic benefits."

Opposing the scheme was Cllr Geoffrey Samuel, the last Conservative on the Council, who was first elected in the borough 66 years ago. He told the inquiry that the site had become a political football over the decades.

He said there is a conflict of opinion over whether the proposed new public space is better than exists in the Diamond Jubilee Gardens.

The Twickenham Riverside Trust, a charity which has responsibility for the gardens, argues it does not and Cllr Samuel said he supported their view. And he accused the Council of failing to compromise with opponents..

His greatest objection was to the way the Council is pursuing the scheme, saying: "I think the concept of compulsory purchase does not sit comfortably in a liberal democracy.

Artistic impression of view from new pub below Wharf Lane building (Credit RBC)

"This is an elected authority wanting to compulsorily purchase an independent charitable trust whose sole aim is the public interest.

"It is something I cannot accept and I therefore oppose the Council's application."

Former Conservative councillor, David Marlow, argued the removal of the existing car park on the riverside would make it difficult for some disabled and elderly to get to the area. He said losing 80 parking spaces would also harm local businesses and other visitors.

'Twickenham is very poorly served with parking spaces … I don't support removing the parking,' he said.

The Diamond Jubilee Garden with a children's playground and astroturf area, which sits on a high level away from the river, has been derided by critics.

However, Mr Marlow insisted that the gardens, with an associated café and playground, are an attractive, 'lovely' and safe destination for adults and young children.

He argued that it would be possible to improve the riverside site while keeping the existing gardens, café and playground.

Attacking the Council scheme, he said: "This is the sledgehammer, this is the bulldozer for this site."

The inquiry is due to carry on throughout June.