Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
Eel Pie Island has long been a site of intrigue, attracting various figures throughout history, from King Henry VIII to modern rock legends like the Rolling Stones. This small enclave, located amid the River Thames, is home to around 100 residents who now express concerns over the potential impact of new bureaucratic regulations on their unique lifestyle.
The upcoming decision by planning inspectors on a comprehensive 341-page document will outline the types of construction permitted by Richmond-upon-Thames, including a critical section addressing flood risks associated with the Thames’s tidal patterns. Each day, the river swells, temporarily flooding the nearby Twickenham embankment, a phenomenon that has persisted since the footbridge to the island opened in 1957. Fortunately for the island’s residents, their homes are strategically elevated and fortified by flood defense walls, safeguarding them from direct flooding.
Islanders fear that modifications to the local development plan could categorize their properties as situated within a flood zone. This designation would hinder their ability to remortgage or insure their homes and would create barriers for local businesses seeking loans for property development or maintenance.
Celia Holman, a resident and member of the River Thames Society, articulates her community’s historical connection to water management, asserting their role as custodians of the island. Holman points out the array of flood defenses surrounding each residence, including robust garden walls and fittings for barriers that can be deployed when water levels rise.
Historically, Eel Pie Island was once known as Twickenham Ait and has seen its share of notable visitors, including potential stops by Henry VIII en route to his palace. The island’s present name emerged in the 19th century when tour operators marketed excursions to London dwellers, and the first inn opened in 1830, reputedly catering to gentlemen and their companions.
Eel Pie Island gained notoriety in the music scene in the 1950s when the hotel was transformed into a dance club, hosting the Rolling Stones for a five-month residency in 1963. The venue also attracted notable artists like David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and Eric Clapton. Following its closure in 1967, the site saw a transformation into a hippy commune, ultimately replaced by residential apartments after a fire destroyed the original building in 1970.
Today, the island represents a vibrant mix of residential spaces, artist studios, offices, and a boatyard, retaining a bohemian spirit reminiscent of Copenhagen’s Christiania. Holman reflects on the island’s remarkable economic diversity and its status as a self-sufficient micro-community, recalling past healthcare services that nearly allowed the residents to declare independence.
She critiques the new planning proposals as a rigid “computer-says-no-approach,” warning that if the ability to mortgage or insure properties is compromised, the island risks becoming derelict. Fellow resident and business owner Holly Tucker emphasizes the short-sightedness of these policies and the potential damage they could inflict on the thriving community.
Architect and island resident Henry Harrison supports this perspective, noting that the area has successfully adapted over centuries and questioning the need for new restrictions. He warns that these regulatory changes could hinder future improvements and developments, damaging the island’s legacy.
Despite the residents’ attempts to communicate concerns to the Richmond council, the local government maintains that there has not been a significant change in the flood policies that would affect the island. They assert that the updated plan was prompted by the Environment Agency correcting an inconsistency regarding how the floodplain was defined.
This leaves residents confused as they contend that the new plan has already resulted in property applications being denied based on flood risk—an issue previously overlooked in similar requests. Holman highlights this contradiction and calls attention to the immediate impact these changes have had on homeowners seeking to expand or renovate.
Richmond council insists that any alterations made to the local plan were necessary and remain consistent with established policies concerning the Thames islands. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has acknowledged Eel Pie Island’s unique historical context and commits to collaborating with residents and businesses to navigate current and future flood risks.
Source
www.theguardian.com