Hundreds of residents across Mortlake, Barnes and East Sheen are demanding an investigation into the effect on the roads of plans to build 3,000 homes.

The homes are proposed as the result of four major developments which are currently going through the planning process.

These include the Stag Brewery site in Mortlake, which would have 1,300 homes; Kew Retail Park, where shops would be demolished to build 1,200 homes; the former Homebase site in Sheen, with 453 homes; and the former Barnes Hospital site, where there will be 80 properties.

Residents are petitioning Richmond Borough Council to appoint an independent transport consultant to assess the combined effect of the 'unprecedented development'.

Artist impression of scheme for Kew Retail Park

The demand has triggered a spat between The Green party, who are supporting the call from residents, and the Council's ruling Lib-Dem group, who argue it would be waste of public money.

Resident groups argue that there is a need for an independent assessment of the combined effect of the four schemes on the area's roads and transport system, rather than dealing with each application separately.

The petition was started by Green party councillor for Mortlake & Barnes Common, Niki Crookdake. And it is being supported by the Mortlake and East Sheen Society, the Mortlake Community Association, and the Barnes Community Association.

It asks both the Mayor of London and Richmond Council 'to appoint an independent transport consultant to advise on the transport infrastructure enhancements and management measures required … to support the unprecedented level of development in the area, which is destined to accommodate at least an additional 3,000 homes and more than 6,000 people living and working in the area'.

Former Homebase site is set for 450 homes

It adds: "Mortlake, East Sheen, Barnes, and Kew contain a corridor hugely constrained by the river Thames, the railway and Richmond Park giving rise to regular and serious levels of traffic congestion causing both gridlock and safety risks at strategic junctions and hotspots such as the four level crossings at Mortlake Station, Manor Road, White Hart Lane and Vine Road and Chalker's Corner on the A316.

"Four new developments are destined to accommodate at least an additional 3,000 homes and more than 6,000 people living and working in the area. A new 1200 secondary school and special needs school is also proposed, which will create significant additional burden on the transport infrastructure."

It adds: "We see no evidence that this significant increase in development can be accommodated within our current transport infrastructure – principally roads - when our current public transport service levels are so weak.

"We need evidence that these developments have been accurately and realistically reflected in transport forecasts and independent advice from experts on the optimum way to mitigate these pressures."

The petition has received more than 350 to date, however, the Lib-Dem chairman of the Council's Transport committee, Cllr Alexander Ehmann,. suggested residents had been taken in by a 'cynical' approach to the issue by the Green Party.

Writing on Twitter, Cllr Ehmann said: "I fear you've been misled by a rather cynical Green Party political effort.

"It's wasteful to spend scarce resident resources filling pockets of 'independent' consultants, when transport expertise already resides within the council and will be used as part of a live planning application."

A lively Twitter spat ensued with the leader of the Greens, who are the official Opposition on the Council, Richard Bennett.

Cllr Ehmann argued that the idea of setting up an independent study would effectively kick decisions on the schemes into the long grass. He also said it 'risks contaminating and confusing' the planning process.

More than 80 homes will be built on site of former Barnes Hospital

The councillor said he was 'disappointed' by the approach of the Greens and said they had 'unreasonably raised expectations of residents'.

In response, Cllr Bennett, said it was important to take a holistic view of the combined effect of the four schemes.

"Identifying the need, and not regarding it as a cynical ploy, gets the discussion underway. Certainly, it is essential to question the practicalities. The response of the Greens will be constructive," he said.

"An overall transport analysis will inform the evaluation of the planning applications. Otherwise, Richmond residents will have to endure the outcome of four tactical decisions in the absence of any strategic overview.

He added: "Our interest is in assuaging the fears of residents. If the LibDem stance is 'no can do' it doesn't oblige the Greens to just accept that."