Planning application submitted for floating housing in Surbiton

Developer Hydro Properties plans to develop ‘Seething Wells’ filter beds using new floating pontoon technology, which enables the construction of new property development in water and on floodplain land.

The application seeks permission to build 48 two and three bedroom flats and 16 three bedroom houses on the filter beds, all of which the application said will meet the highest standards in the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Concrete pontoons that appear to float will form the foundation for the development of the former Thames Water water treatment works. The site currently includes seven filter beds covering 6.8 hectares of land, which will be extended to create an open body of water on which development will take place.

The plans also encompass the delivery of a 92 berth marina, restaurants and car parking. To improve the site and to provide publicly accessible benefits the developer plans to create a new nature reserve, a heritage and education centre and riverside walks.

The technology underpinning the new pontoons will allow them to rise should the Thames burst its banks, the developer has said. If the scheme is approved Hydro Properties plans similar development schemes across the UK.

Consultation on the planning application will remain open until 14 November 2011, after which a determination will be made by 16 January 2012.

"The success of this planning application would be an important decision for development across the country," said Phillip Wallis, head of Hydro Developments."The technology has the potential to open up sites blighted by flood risk and will be an important tool in protecting green belt and cherished greenfield sites across the UK."