Twickenham ice rink wins approval (From Croydon Guardian)

Twickenham ice rink wins approval

4:06pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in Freetime By Rachel Bishop

Skates on: Twickenham ice rink wins approval

Planning permission for a new Christmas ice rink in Twickenham has been granted – but it is still not certain whether the temporary facility will be introduced this year or next.

Twickenham Alive, who submitted the application for the ice rink, hoped the new temporary facility would bring trade to the town.

Berkley Driscoll, of Twickenham Alive, said: “We are happy we got the scheme. It has been a two year haul. For us it’s in our interests to be good neighbour. We have to do it in a way that people like.”

Many businesses in Twickenham said the introduction of the rink would create more trade in the town.

Bruce Lyons, chairman of the Twickenham Town Business Association, said: “It will draw people into the town as a point for social entertainment.”

The facilities will be open to visitors seven days a week (except Christmas Day) and will operate for six weeks between November and February.

A Richmond Council spokesman said: “The applicant will now need to agree terms with the council as land owners if plans for the rink are to proceed and, in doing so, the applicant will have to satisfy all of the council’s requirements and conditions.”

Twickenham Alive’s planning application for an eco-friendly rink was given permission by Richmond Council at a planning meeting on Thursday, October 11, with six votes for and two against.

The application received 48 objections for a number of reasons, including unacceptable noise and disturbance from customers, traffic, music and equipment, lack of parking facilities and potential damage to recently re-laid tennis courts and walls of the listed garden.

Speaking at the meeting, neighbour Nicola Pinkney, of Syon Road, whose main issue was with the noise levels, said: “At a boisterous festive event like this we can expect pop, carols, rhythmic beats, loud and repetitive and intrusive music.

“If we are subject to this in our homes, I for one think I will go mad within a day, let alone in a week or six. And what about the sick, elderly, those with babies and those studying for exams?”

There were also 45 representations supporting the application, praising it as a great asset for young people, a support for the borough’s history and an additional attraction to Twickenham.

The ice rink is sponsored by Stone Rowe Brewer in Church Street and the RFU is an official supporter.

Twickenham Alive are now busy trying to get funding and support for the rink, and are not yet sure whether they would be able to put the facility in place this year or next.