The fight for floating homes in Surbiton has been renewed as Hydro Properties prepares to launch its appeal in the next few days.

The company has hired top planning and environmental barrister Martin Kingston to fight its case.

On his company website No5 Chambers, it states Mr Kingston is "top of the tree," "a first port of call for the most complex and high profile cases" and his "advocacy skills prove devastating for the opposition".

The application for floating homes on filer beds was unanimously turned down my councillors at a development control committee meeting held in January.

Hydro Properties had wanted to build 64 homes, a 92 berth marina, a restaurant, a nature reserve and an education centre in Portsmouth Road.

Managing director Phillip Wallis said he was confident of a win through the appeals process.

He said: "The appeal will be based on proper facts and evidence rather than local militia getting political with the people that they vote for. It is obvious that the feeling is against what we are doing so we are not able to take a pragmatic approach going forward.

"It is clear the core nucleus do not want to negotiate or discuss. 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."

But Simon Tyrrell from the Friends of Seething Wellls said: "The council was unanimous and unequivocal in turning down Hydro’s application, reflecting local community feelings.

"As it clearly remains an inappropriate plan for such a rare and protected site, we are confident that it will continue to be seen, not least by an independent inspector, as falling way short of meeting the 'very special circumstances' required to build on metropolitan open land."

The Friends of Seething Wells group will be holding a public meeting at St Andrew's Church in Maple Road, Surbiton on May 17 to discuss plans for the site.