A campaign group is calling for new ideas for the Surbiton filter beds, ahead of a planning appeal by the company wanting to build floating homes there.

The Friends of Seething Wells will host a public meeting to discuss the future of the site, in the wake of Hyrdo Properties’ failed bid to build a 64 home, 92 berth marina in January. .

Simon Tyrrell, from Friends of Seething Wells, said: “We’re really excited about the opportunity that Hydro’s failure opens up for working with the community to deliver greater access, leisure and learning opportunities.

“We’ll be bringing everyone up to date and inviting views about what should happen and how the community might work to facilitate a positive development.”

Councillor Liz Green said: “The Friends need to show and demonstrate that there is an alternative to what Hydro Properties have proposed.”

The council unanimously rejected Hydro Properties’ application to build floating homes on the site, at a development control meeting earlier this year.

The company announced it would appeal the decision last month.

Philip Wallis, managing director of Hydro Properties, had said: “It is clear we are not going to take this forward at council level so off to appeal we go.

"We are very confident we will win."

Coun Green said: “The development control committee did a really good job because they concentrated on a solid planning ground rather than the emotional reasons.

“The planning policy on our local development framework sustainability appraisal, on that it states the filter beds are unsuitable for residential development.

“That is a very clear policy that was upheld by planning inspectors. We have clearly gone along with our approved policy. Therefore I think there are no grounds for overturning the decision.”

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey will be speaking at the meeting arranged by the Friends of Seething Wells. They are hoping to exchange ideas for a project that will fit in with the heritage and ecological aspects of the site.

The meeting will take place at St Andrew’s and St Mark’s Junior School Hall on Maple Road, on May 17 from 7.30pm.