Vince Cable

London-wide statistics show that 3,525 gardens have disappeared in London in the last three years. 137 in our Borough.

Vincent Cable MP said that he "supported efforts being made in Parliament to have gardens designated as green field land so as to prevent developers concreting them over.

"Many residents in Hampton, Teddington, Twickenham and Heathfield (have come to me concerned at the way their neighbourhoods are gradually being eroded by overdevelopment and are losing the character which gardens provide.

"Very often the Council feels it has little alternative but to grant planning permission since otherwise the applicants would win the ensuring appeal. That is why planning rules need to be strengthened."