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The HCRC endeavours to maintain the highest
possible profile for the campaign, making use of
the valuable publicity from both local and
national newspapers. Press releases are sent out
routinely, to update and inform all of our
supporters.
There are now so many articles against the
scheme in the press that we are unable to list
them individually. We are also actively looking for
companies wishing to advertise, click
here for more
information.
Press Release: 13th October 2008
Hampton Court Rescue Campaign consolidates
support.
Objection to the Gladedale
development at Hampton Court Station was
bolstered last Thursday evening when the
Hampton Court Rescue Campaign asked heads
of Societies, leaders of local and national
Groups and interested bodies to a private,
invitation-only meeting hosted at Hampton Court
Palace.
The 60 guests represented
substantial local and National organisations.
The aim of the meeting, to bring together the
numerous and diverse groups collectively opposed
to the plans for the huge development planned
for the Station and Jolly Boatman riverside
sites opposite the world famous Hampton Court
Palace .
Beside speakers from the
HCRC, Historic Royal Palaces and Molesey
Residents Association addressed the meeting
which was followed by an open Forum of
constructive discussion. Those attending also
included delegates from; Thames Landscape
Strategy, Conservation Area Advisory Committee,
the Hampton Society, Thames Ditton/Weston Green
Residents Assoc, Hampton Wick Assoc., Feltham
Avenue Residents Assoc., Hampton Court Assoc.
and the Friends of Bushy Park. All of these
groups sustain considerable membership numbers
and their support swells the thousands of
existing endorsements for rejection of the
scheme. The evening allowed these individual
groups to adopt an agreed course of action in
advance of the imminent meeting by the Elmbridge
Northern Area Planning Committee, on 28th
October 08 which will decide the Applications.
Looking forward to closer
collaboration and showing solidarity, the guests
signed an open letter expressing support for the
HCRC
and its objectives.
Brian Rusbridge co-coordinator for the HCRC
said
“It has been clear to the HCRC from the
outset that this plan must be judged at Public
Enquiry, this is not just a local issue. Few
Planning Applications are worthy of such
scrutiny, but this site is of foremost historic
importance and should be assured National and
International attention. This meeting has been
most fruitful and the ‘meeting of minds’ has
helped to reinforce greater unity that will
allow us to move forward together”
For comment please contact HCRC co-coordinators
Brian Rusbridge CBE 0208 979 4952 for Molesey
Prof Bryan Woodriff 0208 979 8272 for Hampton
For more information about the Campaign see
www.hamptoncourtrescuecampaign.com
Press Release: 4th August 2008
HCRC SAYS NO TO
NEW DESIGN
The
Hampton Court
Rescue Campaign
is pressing for
a Public Enquiry
to decide the
future of the
important
Hampton Court
Station site,
following
submission of
yet another
Gladedale
Planning
Application.
This has the
endorsement of
Dr Vince Cable
MP for Richmond.
Molesey
residents have
endured the
derelict state
of the Jolly
Boatman for long
enough, but this
development is
not the answer.
A welcome
statement was
issued to
HCRC by
HISTORIC ROYAL
PALACES
on Friday 1st
August 2008.
"HISTORIC
ROYAL
PALACES
CONTINUES TO
OPPOSE JOLLY
BOATMAN
DEVELOPMENT
Historic
Royal
Palaces has
for many
years been
actively
involved in
discussions
about the
future of
the Jolly
Boatman and
Hampton
Court
railway
station
sites. We
responded in
opposition
to
Gladedale’s
scheme as
proposed
during their
public
consultation
in 2007. We
formally
objected to
their first
planning
application,
our
opposition
being based
on the
detrimental
visual
impact the
scheme would
have on the
setting of
Hampton
Court
Palace, its
gardens and
parkland.
These form
an historic
ensemble of
outstanding
national and
European
importance.
The proposed
development
will have a
significant
impact on –
and almost
obliterate -
key views to
and from the
palace. We
deplore the
overall
density and
scale of the
development
which would
be a major
intrusion in
the rural
landscape of
this section
of the River
Thames.
The
recent
second
application
is
substantially
the same as
the
original,
except that
it shows a
different
architectural
treatment of
the proposed
hotel on the
former Jolly
Boatman
site. The
“enveloping”
of the hotel
with
Georgian-style
elevations
does not, in
our view, do
anything to
make this
bulky and
dominant
building
more
acceptable
visually or
sympathetic
to its
historic
context.
In
summary, the
development
shown in
both the
original and
the latest
planning
applications
would have a
major
detrimental
impact on
the setting
of Hampton
Court Palace
and on the
rural nature
of the River
Thames at
this
location.
The proposed
hotel would
seriously
damage
forever the
views to and
from the
palace and
cause harm
to the
character of
the area.
We
continue to
call on
Elmbridge
Borough
Council to
refuse
planning
consent for
the reasons
set out
above.
If you
would like
to read more
about HRP’s
position on
the
development
please visit
our website
www.hrp.org.uk/aboutus/jollyboatman.aspx”
HCRC
is campaigning
against this
development
because of its
detrimental
effect on the
community of
Molesey. It is
easy to be taken
in by
Gladedale’s
recent
‘Newsletter’.
The artist’s
impression
tempts with its
low-level,
sweeping view of
the Station
setting, masked
by copious tree
cover, but this
is very
misleading. This
is a HUGE
DEVELOPMENT,
the actual
height, scale,
and dimensions
of the Hotel
complex will be
much more
imposing and
will overwhelm
the Thames
riverfront.
The MRA has
also expressed
concern about
these plans in
its latest
newsletter which
states “that it
is completely
against what we
see as a total
overdevelopment
of this
sensitive site”.
-
With
pressure on
developers
NOT
to build on
areas with
recognised
Flood Risk,
why is a
double-storey
underground
car park
being
considered
for this
site, an
Environment
Agency
designated ‘ZONE
3 HIGH RISK’
area?
-
How can
SAFETY AND
SECURITY
be
guaranteed
to users of
the
sub-surface
car-park? At
night
particularly,
anti-social
behaviour
and
vandalism
can be
expected
unless
restricted
opening
hours are
adopted.
-
The SCC
Traffic plan
fits all 3
Applications.
This intends
to reverse
traffic-
flow UP
Bridge Rd
and extend
the Gyratory
to
PREVENT
its use as a
roundabout.
There will
be NO
RIGHT TURN
out of the
new Car
park, thus
requiring a
trip to
Imber Court
roundabout
to return to
the bridge.
There will
be a huge
increase in
parking
locally due
to there
being NO
parking
provision
for hotel
visitors.
-
The scheme
will ADD
6488 SQ FT
of retail
and
commercial
space. Given
this new
on-site
retail
opportunity
our many
thousands of
visitors
will have no
need to
cross the
busy main
road. This
will surely
threaten the
livelihoods
and
businesses
of our local
BRIDGE
ROAD TRADERS.
-
There are 3
different
designs for
the Hotel
complex.
Whichever
Hotel plan
is favoured,
the
remaining
parts of the
original
scheme, the
urban,
contemporary
‘villas’,
mews’, Care
Home etc,
will be
GRAFTED ON.
Hampton
Court Way
for example
will retain
its bland
‘John Lewis’
looks.
Gladedale and
the Royal Star
and Garter Homes
Charity have
once again been
sending
leaflets, far
and wide,
enclosing
Freepost
pro-forma
postcards of
support. These
are swamping
Elmbridge
Planning Dept.
This is a new
Planning
Application and
previous letters
may not apply,
so please,
please write
again.
The Elmbridge
Planning website
gives the 8th
August 08 as the
call-off date
for receipt of
correspondence
but letters sent
after this date
will still be
valid. The HCRC
urges everyone
to register
their rejection
of the new
scheme by
writing to:
Head of
Town
Planning,
Elmbridge
Borough
Council,
Civic
Centre,
Esher
KT10 9SD
quoting the
planning numbers
2008/1600 or by
email:
tplan@elmbridge.gov.uk
Finally, HCRC
is very grateful
for the
continuing
support of the
many local
residents who
are concerned
about these
proposals. We
will continue to
fight to obtain
the best
possible outcome
for local people
and business.
More HCRC info
is available on
our website
www.hamptoncourtrescuecampaign.com
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Press Release: 27th June 2008
Hampton Court Rescue Campaign
Gladedale, the developer responsible for the
scheme at Hampton Court Railway Station/Jolly
Boatman site has put forward a second, new plan
for the Hotel building sited on the riverside
facing the Palace.
According to its spokesman, Paul Lemar
‘We are willing to build whichever option
that is preferred by the Council’
The HCRC and its supporters would like to
respond by restating their view, that the
riverside plot specifically, should remain an
open space, free from Gladedale’s proposed
multi-storey development, The new plan allows
for the retention of the listed Lutyens
embankment, which the HCRC applaud, but this is
simply part of a remodelling of the Hotel
facade, where its size and scale remain
unchanged and as before, will obstruct the
setting of the Palace and its historic
landscape.
HCRC hopes that the Council will set aside
the proposed restyling of the Hotel in favour of
more serious and practical issues.
The most recent Flood risk assessment of the
site for example, has issued a new designation,
that of ‘zone 3 high risk’. The Council’s
Development Brief was devised in 1999 and does
not take this into account.
Also, the proposed Traffic plan for the area
encompassing the development and Hampton Court
Bridge, presents very serious questions. The
Council will need to study the full impact of
the new road layout on both the local and
general road user, before considering the
aesthetic of the Hotel design.
HCRC will not be sidetracked by the
presentation of these Hotel modifications. Work
will continue with other local, National and
Government Bodies to move this Planning
Application up to Public Enquiry where a
decision as important as this should be judged.
For further comment, contact
HCRC Joint co-ordinator Brian Rusbridge CBE
0208 979 4952
For further information visit our website
www.hamptoncourtrescuecampaign.com or
contact Mary Brook 01932 789557
02/01/08 Molesey News and Mail
'English Heritage joins objectors to Boatman
plan'
19/11/07
PRESS RELEASE
HAMPTON COURT RESCUE CAMPAIGN
challenges revised Gladedale proposals for
development at
Hampton Court
The Hampton Court Rescue Campaign is challenging
revised plans submitted by the Gladedale Group
for the redevelopment of Hampton Court Station
and Jolly Boatman site.
The HCRC has studied Gladedale's modifications
from the original 2005 proposals and would like
to contradict their new claims.
- Gladedale advertises having made
significant reductions to the number of
residential apartments, from 130 to 66.
This is simply the amalgamation of the Royal
Star and Garter Care Home into the site. It has
not reduced the overall density of the scheme.
- The stepping back of development from
the riverside.
In
real terms the hotel building at the riverside
has merely turned on its original axis.
- The reduction in height from 5 to 4
storeys
The
plan for the hotel remains 4 storeys high, the
new design integrating its 4th floor into the
roof space. This will continue to exceed the
Elmbridge 1999 planning brief that allows 3.Brian Rusbridge Co-ordinator HCRC says
"Our response to these plans is that they still
take no account of the historical setting of the
Hampton Court Station and Jolly Boatman sites
opposite the landmark of Hampton Court palace
and the impact on the environment will be
extremely damaging".
Over the weekend representatives and supporters
of the Hampton Court Rescue Campaign attended an
exhibition of Gladedale's proposals for the
development of Hampton Court Station and the
Jolly Boatman site. On display were the full
plans that form the Planning Application
submission to Elmbridge Borough Council.
In 2005, Gladedale Group and Network Rail held
their first public consultation on outline plans
for the scheme. It is following 'over 2 years of
consultation with local groups and other
interested parties' that now in 2007, the public
are able to see in detail, the scale and style
of the scheme.
Gladedale has produced an unimaginative scheme
that insults the historic setting. Using urban
styling and contemporary materials, the
buildings sit inappropriately in the landscape.
Moreover, some elements of the proposals are
unworkable, in particular the traffic management
of the area that has been naively
underestimated.
However, the exhibition offered the public an
opportunity to see, for the first time, the
potential for a renovated, improved and
up-to-date railway station complex. With a much
needed tourist information centre, regenerated
buildings to provide offices and shops, toilet
facilities and weather-proofed walkways.
Regretfully, the high price paid for these
improvements, being the building of the
remainder of this intensive, multi-storey
development. After 20 years of intentional
dilapidation on the run-down site, it is easy to
find any new development seductive, however
unsuitable. However the HCRC believes
progress in upgrading the station should proceed
as a matter of obligation to the public service
that Network Rail represents and not be
dependant on the revenue provided by a house
builder. It must be held to account for its
reliance on the commercial viability of a
joint-venture. Funded station improvements are
possible. In a recent partnership between Royal
Borough of Kingston, Surrey County Council,
Dept. of Transport and SW Trains improvements
have been made across the rail network with
benefits to neighbouring Esher, Walton and
Thames Ditton stations.
The occasion also gave the public the chance to
meet representatives from the Royal Star and
Garter Homes Charity, who plan to relocate their
Home for disabled ex-service men and women into
the development from Richmond Hill. The HCRC
supports this worthy organisation but, having
seen the plans for the new building, is
surprised at its final choice of location. The
residents, predominantly wheelchair users, will
be challenged by the location of the Home,
positioned as it is next to a busy trunk road
and train-tracks. The solid, stone terraced
riverbank will also present dangerous safety
issues, not just for them but for the many
thousands of young, possibly unsupervised
children who visit the Palace. From the design
standpoint, it is important to remember that
there is planning guidance for the area, the
Elmbridge 1999 planning Brief. The HCRC
questions whether the 48.5ft high, 4 storey
hotel block and the high build-density of the
scheme will fall within its recommendations.
The HCRC and supporters are not satisfied
with the new Gladedale plans and will continue
to strive for the best possible outcome for the
Jolly Boatman/Station redevelopment. The
Campaign has a website
www.hamptoncourtrescuecampaign.com with an
open forum which has begun to receive responses
from the public at large, not just from Molesey.
This is after all a planning decision of
National importance. The decision will carry
with it a heavy weight of responsibility for the
future of our historic buildings and heritage.
Contacts and further
information can be obtained from our website.
- 20/11/07 Molesey News and Mail 'Mixed
reaction to the Jolly Boatman sit proposals'
- 09/11/07 Walton and Weybridge Informer
'A jolly sight'
- 27/06/07 Molesey News and Mail
'Councillors criticised over approach to
Jolly Boatman'
- 25/06/07 HCRC Formal Letter of
Representation to EBC following the Scoping
Report
- 30/05/07 Molesey News and Mail 'Next
phase for Jolly Boatman'
- 27/04/07 Richmond Informer ‘We’re being
hoodwinked’
- 13/04/07 Richmond Informer ‘Star
shooting southwards’
- 13/04/07 Richmond Informer ‘Restoration
project for hidden feature’, Bushy Park
cascades
- 18/04/07 Molesey News and Mail ‘Boatman
site plans attacked’
- 16/04/07 HCRC Press Release- Star and
Garter Plans for Jolly Boatman
- 11/04/07 Molesey News and Mail ‘Star and
Garter plans for Jolly Boatman’
- 04/04/07 Royal Star and Garter Homes,
Press Release
- 19/03/07 Molesey News and Mail
- 28/02/07 Molesey News and Mail ‘Concern
over rate of growth in Borough’s population’
- 07/02/07 Molesey News and Mail ‘Flood
management plan set to protect properties’
- 29/11/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter –
‘Time to look again at planning brief’ from
Jenny Belchamber
- 29/11/06 Molesey News and Mail, ‘Palace
slams revised plans for boatman’
- 23/11/06 Guardian Newspapers ‘New hotel
plans a ‘farce’’
- 22/11/06 Molesey News and Mail ‘Boatman
changes promised’
- 02/11/06 Guardian Newspapers, ‘Website
protest at Jolly Boatman plan’
- 26/10/06 Esher and Cobham Guardian,
‘Campaigners battle Island development’
- 19/10/06 Guardian Newspapers, Letter –
‘Station site plan must be suitable’ from
Ian Taylor MP
- 18/10/06 Molesey News and Mail,
‘Campaigners unite against plans for Jolly
Boatman’
- 16/10/06 The Daily Telegraph, ‘Battle
begins to save majestic View of Henry VIII’s
Palace’
- 12/10/06 Guardian Newspapers,
‘Campaigners fight for Hampton views’
- 04/10/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter-
‘An amazing response to my letter’ from
Jenny Belchamber
- 01/10/06 Press Release and Flyer- HCRC
demands immediate action.
- 13/09/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter-
‘Suggestion that defies belief’ from Ernest
Mallet, County Councillor
- 06/09/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter –
‘Approval raring is not impressive’ from
Vera Scott & Nicki Wilson
- 30/08/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter –
‘ I’d prefer Jolly Boatman site to be left
open’ from Kenneth Brown
- 30/08/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter –
No option for Jolly Boatman is preferred’
from Iris Hawkes
- 30/08/06 Molesey News and Mail, ‘English
Heritage will oppose Boatman plans’
- 24/08/06 Guardian Newspapers ‘No more
building at Hampton Court’
- 24/08/06 Esher & Cobham Guardian
Newspapers, ‘Palace slides out of view’
- 23/08/06 Surrey Comet, ‘Petition
launched to secure Palace views’
- 23/08/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter
–‘Developer should stick to the Planning
Brief’ from Cllr Mike Axton
- 17/08/06 Guardian Newspapers, Letter –
‘Redevelopment must not rape the riverside’
from RH Moore
- 15/08/06 Molesey News and Mail ‘ Group
back to battle Boatman’
- 10/08/06 Guardian Newspapers, letter –
Development will destroy Hampton’ from
Robert Wooley
- 09/08/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter –
‘Jolly Boatman plans should be viewed with
dismay’ from Mrs H Cullis
- 09/08/06 Molesey News and Mail,
‘Application for Boatman next month’
- 03/08/06 Guardian Newspapers, ‘No need
to build on Jolly Boatman site’
- 02/08/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter-
‘Every Jolly Boatman plan is over developed’
from Jenny Belchamber
- 27/07/06 Molesey News and Mail, Letter –
‘Such twisted logic is breathtaking’ from
Brian Rusbridge CBE
- 26/07/06 Molesey News and Mail, info
piece. ‘Sketches for the regeneration of the
Jolly Boatman’
- 19/07/06 Molesey News and Mail
‘Opposition to Boatman site plans’
- 29/06/06 Guardian Newspapers, ‘Radical
makeover for Station planned’
- 28/06/06 Molesey News and Mail, ‘New
plans for Jolly Boatman’
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