A bid to build floating homes, a marina and a nature reserve at an historic riverside site have been met with mixed feelings.

Developer Hydro Properties showed invited representatives from Surbiton around the disused filter bed site in Seething Wells on February 7.

It also invited them to give their views on plans to build 60 unique homes on pontoons.

The site, which was sold by Thames Water, is protected from inappropriate development as it is Metropolitan Open Land (MOL).

Dr David Randall, coordinator for Vital Kingston, said: “A lot of people will want to preserve the metropolitan land aspect, but if that can remain I would like to see it have public access and become a useful space.”

The seven filter beds, which have been drained in the last few months to conduct tests and carry out an ecology report, may be connected to the Thames.

A Hydro Properties spokesman said this could enable the development to act as a flood mitigation cell, offering further protection to Kingston.

Brian Godding, llanning secretary for Kingston Society, said: "We have heard a lot of wonderful stuff with hardly any mention of profits.

"It will be interesting to see what the full picture really is."

Proposals consider the site’s MOL status, with aims for a sustainable zero-carbon environment, increased biodiversity and a mix of 15 per cent development and 85 per cent nature reserve.

Plans also aim to increase public access and local interest in the site, with pedestrian routes, 550m of Thames riverside walkway, a car park and an education centre to be housed in the old pump house.

The development would be a first for the UK, although similar floating technology has been used in Holland and Dubai.

A Hydro Properties spokesman said: "It is important to stress we are not wedded to any of it. We want to hear what local groups think before making a planning application.

"We are still in the early stages and are working towards a final application."