Riverside Works Appeal

Riverside Works, Fordbridge Road, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 6AP

The Planning Inspector has dismissed all three appeals for the Environment Agency (EA) site known as Riverside Works in Sunbury. The first appeal was for the redevelopment of the site for 88 residential properties, plus open space on the mainland site. The second two related to applications for a new workshop and ancillary facilities on the island site. Residents attended throughout the public inquiry which was held in November/December 2010. The planning committee had unanimously refused planning permission back in November 2009.

The Inspector raised significant concerns about all three proposals. The housing scheme was dismissed for the following reasons:

It failed to deliver a high quality layout, resulting in a cramped layout with inappropriate design
The riverside properties would have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
It would have an adverse impact on protected species (bats and reptiles)

The workshop scheme was dismissed for the following reasons:

No very special circumstances had been shown to allow development in the Green Belt
It would have an adverse impact on protected species (bats and reptiles)

The EA will need to consider the implications of the decision, but it is open to them to come forward with a revised scheme. However, this would need to address all of the concerns raised by the Inspector. Any future application would be subject to public consultation in the usual way.

Inspector's Report on the Appeal Decision