Hounslow Council has invoked a resolution that will prevent restrictions to public access to the river from the Brentford Dock estate.

Planning chiefs have applied an Article 4 direction which aims to prevent restrictions being imposed on public access to the estate.

Brentford Dock had received complaints from residents of the private estate that people from all over Brentford have been descending on the complex to walk to the river.

Its response was to propose putting up gates at access points to prevent non-residents from entering the estate.

Residents pay a service charge for the upkeep of the grounds which feature lawns, trees, a marina and pathways.

But non-residents say access to the river should be open to everyone. Many took to social media saying they believed the Thames is a major asset to the town and should be accessible to anyone.

One person wrote: "Why should the river be only enjoyed by a select group of people based only on the location of where they live?

"One of the best things about living here is the river. Why should an elite number of people be the only ones to enjoy it?"

However, one dock resident told Nub News: "Over the summer we had huge numbers of people coming through the dock. We pay a fortune for the upkeep of the grounds.

"I saw people on the riverbank drinking late at night and leaving rubbish in the grounds. This creates extra work for grounds staff and security, which we pay for."

Full planning permission would now be required for gates to be installed on the estate.