History of the River Thames Visitor Centre

Finally 2 months to repair the damage by vandals! In 2005 a third planning application was needed. I decided that the project could not continue unless it had permanent planning consent. I therefore applied for permanent planning consent, against the recommendations of planning officers and appealed to the better judgement of the Richmond Borough Council's Councillors on the Planning Committee. It was passed with permanent consent and reopened on Friday 7th October 2006. So this is why the River Thames has been little used, it is almost impossible to do anything!! So, if you thought the Centre took a long time, or the process of assessing river projects should be changed, please write to Richmond Council and ask them why? I still don't understand!

From imagination to pencil in 2000

So the reason why the River Thames has been declining, is that responsibility for the River has been split amongst many Local Authorities with their own interpretation of planning law, Government Departments, Quazi Autonomous Non-governmental Organizations (QUANGOs) and even private companies. This has meant that any consistent environmental vision has long since disappeared. It seems that the only steady development of the Thames today, are the myriad of housing developments rising out of its banks. These housing developments take advantage of the beauty of the River, by providing River views for the resident, yet they spoil the landscape for people looking back at the housing from the River.