A South London borough is set to accommodate nearly 20,000 new homes over the next 15 years. Kingston Council has released the final draft of its new Local Plan, which will guide development from its expected adoption in 2028 through to 2043. The document outlines potential development sites, many privately owned, and specifies the number of homes each could provide if redevelopment proceeds. This plan follows years of delays, leaving Kingston reliant on an outdated strategy from 2012.
As a result, the borough faces a 'presumption in favour of sustainable development,' making it significantly harder to refuse planning applications. Among the sites allocated for new housing are several transport hubs and car parks, including 310 homes at Kingston Station, 175 homes on the western section of Surbiton Station Car Park, and 105 homes at Tolworth Station.
A total of 300 homes are proposed for Cattle Market Car Park and around Fairfield Bus Station, along with 225 homes for Seven Kings Car Park and 175 homes for the Bentall Centre’s multi-storey car park. The plan also suggests improving Cromwell Road Bus Station and adding 90 homes to 'establish a welcoming gateway' to Kingston town centre.
Shopping centres and retail parades are earmarked for potential redevelopment, including Eden Quarter with 645 homes, leisure facilities, a hotel and public spaces, and the 1960s Eden Walk Shopping Centre with 560 homes. The John Lewis site on Wood Street could be redeveloped with 285 new homes while retaining the main John Lewis department store, Waitrose, and existing workspaces.
A total of 320 homes are proposed for the redevelopment of the Guildhall complex, the council’s headquarters, preserving the historic building and replacing the modern extension. Cocks Crescent in New Malden is slated for regeneration with a new public square, 255 new homes, improved open spaces, and better links to the high street. The plan suggests 360 homes could be provided by revamping or completely redeveloping Tolworth Tower, Kingston’s tallest building at 22 storeys.
St John’s Industrial Estate could see 585 new homes, along with denser industrial units and workspaces. The plan also earmarks sites on Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and the green belt for development, including 405 homes on redundant areas of Hogsmill Sewage Treatment Works and 440 homes for Motspur Park gasholders, currently designated as MOL. Green belt land in Chessington is proposed for development, with 1,440 new homes on Clayton Road and 265 homes on the derelict former Chessington Golf Course.
A report on the draft plan stated the council had reviewed its green belt boundaries because Kingston’s housing needs could not be met solely by building on brownfield sites. The report added: 'Putting in place an up-to-date Local Plan will ensure that the council can proactively manage development across the borough, ensuring that we get the right mix of business and commercial space and housing to support thriving communities supported by the timely delivery of necessary infrastructure and community facilities.'
The council will vote on Monday on publishing the final draft for public consultation from July 6 to September 4. The authority would then submit the draft to the Planning Inspectorate by December for examination and formal approval, allowing the plan to be adopted by 2028.
