Brentford Dock has told the estate's residents that is does not believe gates it has put up breach planning regulations.

It comes after Hounslow Planning Committee imposed an Article 4 direction which removes the dock's "permitted development rights" for gates and fences.

The dock wants to erect the gates after complaints that non-residents were accessing the river through the private estate.

Legal representatives from Brentford Dock Limited (BDL) told the planning meeting that people from outside the estate were making noise and leaving litter in the grounds of the estate which residents pay a service charge to maintain.

Management told residents in a letter this week: "Hounslow informed us of their intention to seek an injunction against BDL unless we remove the gates (within 14 days) that we have recently erected, whilst we still had permitted development rights.

"Having first obtained expert legal advice, we are of the opinion that our gates conform to the Permitted Development legislation.

"We intend to provide updates when it is legally and expediently appropriate to do so, giving residents the opportunity to formally voice their views when we believe it is advantageous to do so.

"The purpose of the recently installed gates is to clearly define the limits of the Thames Path as they apply to Brentford Dock, including signage to indicate the existence of adjacent private land over which there is no public right of way."

The proposals to instal gates to block access sparked a furious debate among local people.

Non-residents say everyone has a right to enjoy the river, while Dock residents say they pay a high service charge for the grounds to be maintained.