Policy information sourced from Twickenham Area Action Plan

Twickenham Area Action Plan Royal Mail Sorting Office

Aims – To encourage the redevelopment of this now empty site with an appropriate mix of uses, which will bring benefits to the town and assist with its regeneration. Area includes some open Council owned land, used in conjunction with Heatham House. Development to take account of that on the station site and provide links under the London Road bridge and public paths/cycle ways and open areas up- and downstream of the River Crane, including linking with open areas further west. The owner of the Royal Mail site is expected to work with other owners to achieve the comprehensive redevelopment of the site.

Objectives

  • Achieve the comprehensive approach to the area;
  • Provide a mix of uses including employment, residential, leisure (possibly a cinema), a substantial level of community use, retention of space for sports/outdoor activities, retain and use the link under London Road bridge;
  • Ensure that the improved and extended open space and riverside walk/cycle route maximises amenity and nature conservation value;
  • Maintain a similar amount of land for outdoor sports and activities;
  • The creation of a piazza in front of the station and sorting, office which opens up views to Heatham House and provides an attractive urban gathering space, at the entrance to the riverside walk;
  • Achieve high quality design, which conserves and enhances the setting of Twickenham’s heritage assets and generally reflects the traditional character of Twickenham.

Uses – Mixed uses to include employment, residential including family housing, leisure (possibly a cinema), a substantial level of community use, retention of space for sports/outdoor activities, provision for extended open space alongside the River Crane and a riverside walk, retain and use the link under London Road bridge. Retail use here is likely to detract from the main centre, so is not considered a suitable land use.

Delivery strategy – The private owner of the key site (the former Sorting Office) will work with other landowners to provide a comprehensive approach potentially including Network Rail, the Council and private land holders (1-5 years).

For more information please see the Action Plan