Developer Seeks Permission to Remove Kew Bridge Pontoon

Local sports clubs back removal of ‘most expensive goose toilet' in London

The developer of the a major riverside residential property development next to Kew Bridge is seeking permission to remove a river pontoon.

As a condition of gaining permission to build the luxury flats on Kew Bridge Road back in 2011, St. George West London (SGWL) was required to build the pontoon and make it available for residents and a recognised community sports club.

The funding came from Section 106 money which the developer was obliged to pay as part of their application. The pontoon was developed in consultation with the Environment Agency and the Port of London Authority.

In their planning statement that forms part of their application to remove the facility the developer says, “Since the delivery of the pontoon, SGWL have received feedback from various third parties that the pontoon is no longer meets the requirements of river users in its current location. These parties include the community groups and beneficiaries.”

They say that the pontoon should be demolished or removed to another location although they say that they should not be obligated to pay for relocation.

Their claim that local water sports clubs do not value the pontoon was confirmed when we asked a number of them about the application.

Paul of the stand up paddleboarding group who are based at Kew Bridge said that the pontoon was a waste of the section 106 money from the project which could have been used to improved Kew Draw dock and the boating arches. He commented, “This pontoon is a white elephant It has never met anyone's needs other than those of St George who used it as a feature to entice prospective flat buyers. Its location next to a listed bridge visually pollutes the area and creates an additional hazard.”

He added that he believed the pontoon is dangerous and that three people have come close to drowning after being pinned against it. He says local water sports clubs and individual river users have asked St George and Hounslow Council to have what he describes as ‘the most expensive goose toilet in London’ removed.

Paul added, “Its demise will be a case study of how local groups can unite around a shared interest to see increased river safety and an improved local environment.”

The former chair of Edge Paddling kayak club told us that they were not consulted before, during or after installation regarding anything to do with the pontoon.

August 4, 2017