It appears that Richmond Council is considering a planning proposal to replace the empty office blocks on Richmond Road over the bridge at 371 Richmond Road, TW1 with a 94 bed hotel (Travelodge) and supermarket (Lidl) We feel that this proposal has not been given anywhere near enough visibility by Richmond Council and the fact that the proposal closes within two weeks suggests (13/05/2012) that they are trying to get this very large development through with as little opposition as possible. The proposal can be read here: http://idoxwam.richmond.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?&appNumber=12/1001/FUL Whilst the area has a number of empty shops and there is scope for some regeneration of the street, building a massive hotel and supermarket would not assist the area for a number of reasons: 1) Massively increased traffic. Already the area is congested at many times of the day, this will not assist in reducing that. 2) Noise, dust, and increased traffic (and congestion due to road closures) during the build during commuting hours. 3) Destruction of the local economy in terms of the small business owners that provide similar services to the Lidl. 4) Increased noise from the hotel (especially during Rugby days) and traffic congestion due to parking as the 16 proposed parking spaces is nowhere near sufficient 5) Devaluation of property prices in the area due to an unsuitable development. (The area is mainly residential and creating a supermarket and hotel so close is not really in keeping with the rest of the locale.) If you feel strongly about this then you can contact: http://idoxwam.richmond.gov.uk/WAM/createComment.do;jsessionid=E5FF027A8D7EFA15BE0932CA50469BA6?action=CreateApplicationComment&applicationType=PLANNING&appNumber=12/1001/FUL Or contact your local MP (Vince Cable): http://vincentcable.org.uk/en/contact The Richmond and Twickenham times: http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/ 

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