Kingston currently has around 65,000 homes in total. Our council is now proposing to build 30,000 new homes if its housing target is agreed in the New London Plan.
Can this be "good growth" that will benefit existing communities and neighbourhoods, and protect and enhance the natural and historic environment we are so fortunate to enjoy, or is it pure commercialisation - the desire to make money no matter how detrimental the impact?
Why is the Council not telling us where they are planning for these homes to be built? We know that they are planning for approximately half of new homes to be built on large sites; but where are these sites?
Kingston Council gave the Greater London Authority (GLA) planners a suggested number of 106 large sites across the Borough (greater than or equal to 0.25 hectares) which they say could be developed as part of The London Plan. But they are only letting us know about 24 sites, citing commercial confidentiality. You can see these sites below.
Why are the Council's plans secret? It is in the public interest that we should know about what might happen to our homes and our neighbourhoods, and it is time the Council shared this information with us.
After all, our homes may need to be demolished to achieve the Council's ambitious growth targets.
Please write to the Council Leader, liz.green@kingston.gov.uk, and ask her to disclose information on the 82 sites across the Borough that they are keeping secret from us and ask her how such massive growth will benefit our communities, neighbourhoods and the rich historical and natural environment in and around Kingston. Tell her that there is an overriding public interest that she disclose this information.
Please also share this information with your neighbours, friends and family, who may be affected by our Council's secret plans.
Sites submitted to the GLA that are currently approved or allocated for development
Approved
Hotel Antoinette Approval Beaufort Road
P19d Gas Holder Site Approval Kingsgate Road
HM Remand Centre Latchmere Lane Approval Latchmere Lane
P2 Eden Quarter - South of Clarence Street Approval Clarence Street
New Malden House Approval High Street
Former Milk Depot, Lower Marsh Lane Approval Lower Marsh Lane
86-100 Brighton Road Approval Brighton Road
Former Oak Hill Health Centre Approval Oakhill
Tolworth Tower Approval Tolworth Broadway
Northamber House Approval Davis Road
Kingstons House Approval Coombe Road
Tolworth Girls School & Playing Field Approval Fullers Way North
Development Site At Former Post Office Approval Ashdown Road
Allocated
P5 Cattle Market car Park and Fairfield Bus Station Allocation
P10 Kingston Station Allocation
P1 Clarence Street North Allocation Clarence Street
P6 Kingfisher Leisure Centre Allocation
P3b Eden Quarter Allocation
P3a Eden Quarter Allocation
P20 Canbury Place Car Park 13-43 and Richmond Road Allocation
P12 Northern Riverfront Allocation
P4 St James Area Allocation
P19a and P19e Sites adjoining Kingston College Allocation Richmond Road