Residents create petition opposing redevelopment plans for Ham Close

Residents were told in July that one of two options were on the table for the area.

The first involved the demolition of the 192-home development and the erection of 400 new units over an estimated eight years on Ham Green and the existing shops in Ham Street.

The other, to do nothing.

Terry Anderson, who started the petition and has lived in the area all his life, said although most people living in Ham Close are in favour of large-scale renovation work, but they did not feel the proposals were in keeping with the village set-up.

He said: “Just one more of the many problems we would face is the traffic that would come with doubling the amount of people here; it is bad enough already.

“We don’t want the area to become like an inner-city estate.”

Nataliya Yener, who bought her property in 2012, said the site’s homeowners had been told they would be offered a property of the same value, but said she is concerned about the complications that would arise with mortgage providers should shared equity with Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) become the only option.

She said: “We did not ask for this redevelopment and we do not want to give up our independence and share our homes with RHP.

“They are our homes and not a bargain tool.”

The proposed redevelopment plan

RHP’s chief executive, David Done, said the organisation was committed to keeping its customers up to date and providing opportunities to share their views.

He said: “We believe a visionary redevelopment scheme that’ll lead to social, environmental and economic improvements is possible.”

See the petition at tinyurl.com/HamClose.