Residents living on an exclusive island on the Thames are fighting plans or a £20m development which will see them lose their car park.
The homeowners on Eel Pie Island in Twickenham also fear their property values will plummet if the plans go ahead.
Richmond Council has been given approval this month for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to take over land needed for the project. It had already got planning permission for the scheme but needed the CPO to move gardens as part of the plan.
It will all be built on land opposite the island, where homes fetch around £600,000 but can command prices over double that, and will mean losing an open-air car park.
Office spaces, shops, a cafe, pub and restaurant and housing will be built in the area.
Resident Helen Montgomery-Smith, 57, from the Eel Pie Island Residents' Association, told MailOnline: "I am very opposed to this scheme and so are locals on the island.
"It is such a unique spot and this scheme badly impacts that. It impacts everyday life for all of us.
"Losing the car park is a big negative. It will impact the area and mean people are less likely to want to come and visit."
Ryan Jenkinson, 49, who works as a builder and lives on the island said the car park issue was "a massive problem".
He said: "This development has been spoken about for many years and has crossed into politics.
"It's a case of if it's not broken then don't fix it. The car park not only provides us with spaces but is frequently used by locals and visitors.
"This is a beautiful area and it will be spoiled by the development. I have no doubt house prices will decrease and it will lose that special edge it had."
Doug Garrett, 81, said: "Parking around here is crucial. It will be a big loss not having the car park." His wife was mugged and she fears that the loss of the car park add to the danger in the area.
The retired designer said: "It was a frightening experience. I fear losing the car park will make it a no-go area and will attract undesirables.
"I was mugged a few streets away near no cars or lighting. Losing the car park I think makes it more unsafe."
Eel Pie Island is just under nine acres in size and was home to a jazz and blues club in the 1960s.
Liberal Democrat Councillor James Chard, for Twickenham Riverside, defended the plans.
He said: "Pay and display parking is available in much larger amounts across several significantly larger car parks in Twickenham."
Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: "It has taken a long time to get to this stage, but we are delighted with the Planning Inspectorate's decision.
"This is a crucial step in delivering something that residents have been asking for four decades; a scheme that connects the riverside with the town and acts as a magnet for both residents and visitors.
"Currently the site is dominated by a car park that doesn't allow people to make the most of the river or to enjoy the beautiful riverside views.
"I hope that those who opposed the scheme will put their objections to one side and join with us to deliver a regenerated heart for Twickenham."
