The title of Sir John Dunt's recently published letter "Jolly Boatman plans will open up views" is in itself laughable.

The Gladedale planning applications intend to comprehensively develop the Hampton Court station/Jolly Boatman sites. Contrary to Sir John Dunt's opinion, if planning permission is granted, this development will obliterate the views to and from Hampton Court Palace, the river bridge and historic station.

It is easy for Sir John to comment on these proposals from the luxury of Richmond Hill, maintaining his opinion that we will all benefit.

In fact, it will be the residents of Molesey and Hampton and not those of Richmond who will suffer the impact of this development on traffic and trade.

Even Vince Cable MP has spoken insistently of the need for a public inquiry to decide the site’s future.

Interesting too, that Sir John claims that Hampton Court Rescue Campaign (HRCR) has "hoodwinked" its supporters.

HCRC argues that while the designs have been altered and residential units substituted for care home accommodation, there has been no reduction to the overall mass, density and height of the projected buildings, the huge size of the development remaining unchanged.

From those first proposals in 2006 to the present application, supporters have seen the transparency of these revisions and continue (via the website hamptoncourtrescuecampaign.com) to give their endorsement to HCRC’s sustained objectives:

1. The renovation and improvement of the railway station.

2. To landscape the Jolly Boatman as open space and no hotel.

3. A public inquiry should decide the outcome of these applications.

HCRC references to the wonderful situation of the new home, as if positioned to enjoy the outlook of the Thames and Palace. This must be clarified.

By being sited at the far end of the existing car park, alongside the railway line and bordered by Cigarette Island, the new home fails to offer these vistas.

It is surprising that of his claimed 100 alternative sites, the vice admiral believes this to be the best of choices, notwithstanding the traffic pollution, noise and river humidity.

Maybe Sir John would reconsider his appreciation of the projected riverside open space.

New traffic proposals allow for an amenity road servicing the hotel, care home and homes, to convey both commercial vehicles through the 'Riverside Square' to the rear of the development and Cigarette Island Park. Running straight from the main trunk road and delineated by a series of bollards, this 20ft wide, twoway thoroughfare will conflict pedestrians and compromise safety.

HCRC holds the line that Royal Star and Garter Homes alone is worthy of the best efforts to secure the finest possible new home for its ex-servicemen and women relocating from Richmond Hill.

However, the charity has tied itself inextricably to a multimillion pound hotel, residential and commercial development on this site to which HCRC and its supporters are opposed.

HCRC looks forward to the consideration of the applications by Elmbridge Council’s northern area planning committee on October 28 when these concerns can be aired by and with local residents.

PROFESSOR BRYAN WOODRIFF
BRIAN RUSBRIDGE CBE
Joint co-ordinators of Hampton Court Rescue Campaign