Thames Young Mariners site redevelopment proposal

Overview

Overview

Surrey County Council (SCC) and Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD) are pleased to inform you that the planning application for the Thames Young Mariners (TYM) site has now been submitted to Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council for consideration.

The application has been validated by the Council and allocated reference number: 22/3139/FUL

Full details of the application can be found on the Richmond Council planning website via the following link:

https://www2.richmond.gov.uk/lbrplanning/Planning_CaseNo.aspx?strCASENO=22/3139/FUL

Included on the Council’s planning application webpage is an option to submit comments or voice your support for the proposal.

Site background

SOLD is a unique service provided by SCC, which runs outdoor learning programmes from its three sites: Henley Fort near Guildford, High Ashurst in the Surrey Hills and Thames Young Mariners. TYM was established over 60 years ago as a water activity venue on the Thames between Richmond and Kingston.

SOLD is passionate about providing children, young people, schools and families with opportunities to experience healthy outdoor activity that will directly benefit their emotional well-being and physical health.

Today, TYM is a local community asset which provides a wide range of outdoor learning programmes through day and residential camping visits to a broad spectrum of user groups including schools, colleges and Universities, SEN schools, youth groups e.g. cubs, guides etc, families, children booked on by parents, adult training courses, young people and adults with additional needs, parents and toddlers, open water swimmers, vulnerable and looked after children, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants and children who are receiving alternative education provision.

TYM offers a choice of engaging and adventurous water based outdoor learning activities e.g. canoeing, sailing, raft building and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding as well as land-based sessions such as orienteering, archery, woodland activities, climbing and low ropes course. TYM also offer residential camping visits in their two Tipi villages for these groups between the months of April and October.

Proposals

TYM faces a number of challenges and restrictions posed by the outdated existing buildings, which are no longer fit for purpose nor meet modern standards of construction, accessibility & design which is impacting on SOLD’s ability to operate effectively. Due to the site’s piecemeal development over 50+years, the layout of the existing buildings is no longer fit for purpose causing significant challenges namely security, maintenance, safeguarding and positive and inclusive learning environments.

In order to meet the operational needs of SOLD and to also provide the most sustainable form of development it is proposed to demolish the existing buildings on site and replace with new, fit-for-purpose buildings. Whilst a partial reuse of existing buildings on site has been explored it was deemed unsuitable due to the age of construction, condition, suitability and operational requirements; both during and after construction.

SCC and SOLD have therefore sought to bring forward a proposal which will retain and enhance the outdoor learning provision at TYM. This will ensure that the provision of high-quality outdoor learning can be provided from the site far into the future, which will continue to benefit the young people of Richmond, the surrounding Boroughs and Surrey.

The existing 1,646sqm of floorspace will be replaced with around 1,974sqm of space. Similarly, to the existing buildings on site, the proposed buildings will be made up of one main building with a number of smaller buildings, will be focused on the previously developed part of the site and will be predominantly single storey buildings.

The proposed buildings on site will seek to provide residential accommodation for schools/youth groups and will update and replace staff accommodation, changing facilities, learning and meeting space, administration space, storage and workshop and a fit for purpose dining hall and kitchen. The proposals will continue to make use of the existing site access from Riverside Drive. 

The approach to landscaping is an important element of the proposals given the surrounding natural environment of Ham Lands and the River Thames which these proposals will respond to. The landscape design forms an integral part of a wider site strategy that seeks to conserve and enhance the biodiversity of the site, respectful of the local landscape character. The external landscape materials and planting will be used to blend the facilities into the surrounding setting, using quality natural materials in keeping with the context of the site.

The proposals will enable SOLD to operate a more ‘year-round’ outdoor learning offering where they are currently constrained mainly between April-October because of the nature of the existing facilities.

Significantly, the proposal will also provide the site with facilities to allow greater inclusion and participation for users with learning and physical disabilities.

This will greatly improve what SOLD can offer local schools, families and community groups which will contribute towards SOLD’s vision for users to develop crucial personal, social, emotional and physical skills, which will benefit their life chances and opportunities.

It is anticipated that SOLD will continue to operate throughout this project with as minimal disruption as possible to SOLD’s service to ensure local schools and community groups will still have access to outdoor learning facilities throughout.

Programme

Since public engagement in April 2022, the design team have been progressing the details of the proposals which have now been submitted to Richmond Council for full consideration.

The planning decision is due by February 2023 and if successful it is anticipated that works will commence in the summer of 2023.

Accessibility Statement

This survey was compatible with speech recognition software and screen readers. A Screen Reader and Large Print version of this survey can be found at the bottom of this page under ‘related documents’. If you have any queries about the survey  please contact us and we will do our best to assist you: FeedbackTYM@surreycc.gov.uk

020 8541 9000 (Option 6)

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