Surbiton Filter Beds plans return as The Sanctuary

Rivermummy (a Director of Hydro's latest PR company) - I'm sure I am not alone in being fascinated by your journey, from having been an opponent of the Hydro planning proposal to now being an advocate for it. Perhaps, so there is no misunderstanding, you could tell us how much you are earning as a result of the PR contract from Hydro and what your bonus will be if their planning application gets approval. Thanks, in anticipation.

Dear Surbyman

No the developers are not knights in shining armour - they need to make a profit - like all companies - as indeed do not for profit companies. This technology has not been used in this country before but is fully proven in Holland in Maasbommel and also in the USA and Canada. This will be their flagship development and they have several other sites - some just on flood plains others similar ex-waterworks type and they will need to deliver a truly exemplary mixed use development in order to convince investors that they mean business. What exactly is wrong with organisations making money from sustainable and beautiful developments which work with nature? I cannot understand why people are actively campaigning to stop a world renowned organisation with the very best ability to turn this into a wonderful accessible wetlands - not just for those who live in the development or overlook it but anyone who wants to walk round. Of course it will also provide a wonderful education resource.

I am a Director at the demonised PR company but I have also lived in the borough for 37 years including 20 years living right next door to the filter beds before our boats were evicted to make way for 17 wide beam narrow boats which stick out a 45 degrees into the river. I notice that the Thames Sailing Club did not form a river alliance to fight that development. However I did support the fight for the previous inappropriate applications and I originally objected to there being 17 houseboat moorings as I felt this was not conducive to forming a community - but given they have been cut to up to 7 - I have written removing that objection.

I love the filter beds and they could be so brilliant and a nice place to go for a walk and have a glass of wine as the sun goes down and simply enjoy the nature of the river environs.

Take a look at the website http://tinyurl.com/9qrlcqg and then take a look at http://tinyurl.com/9bdbp3y and make your own mind up.

I'm having a real problem with this whole issue.

On the one hand I am totally seduced by the prospect of having access to a nature reserve and an extended riverside walk on my doorstep. In the many years I have lived in Surbiton no other developer has come up with such an imaginative mixed-use proposition. I'm intrigued by the pioneering use of floating homes technology. Given the issues of climate change it seems to makes perfect sense. And given that the developers propose only 15% of the area will be given over to housing (although, strangely, it does looks a lot more on their plans) I don't find this excessive. As someone from the Kingston upon Thames Society said in today's Com*t, the Barnes Wetlands Cerntre was only made possible by the building of 333 house on part of the site. As for the cries by water sports enthusiasts that any development will spoil their fun, well the Thames is 215 miles long.

But… and it's a big but… I'm not sure Hydro are the people for the job. For one thing they are telling blatant porky pies. Their glossy brochure seeks to persuade us that they are sweeping into Surbiton on a mission to create a wildlife sanctuary and that housing is a secondary issue to finance their desires. But we all know the complete reverse is true. And apart from creating retail parks, they have no track record dealing with such sensitive environments. What if they turn out to be another CNN Estates? Look what they have done to our area.

Trouble is, if Hydro don't do something with the site, who will? It's all very well for local opposition groups to say they have a Plan B to turn the area into a sanctuary, accessible to all. But there is never any talk of financing. Where would the money come from?

Of course the filter beds could just be left as they are; a derelict industrial space reclaimed by nature. But having seen what has been achieved in Barnes I can't help but feel that they deserve so much more.

If they included a footbridge over the river linking Surbiton to Hampton Court Park it would benefit everyone in Surbiton

sad