Kingston Council refuses to grant planning permission for a brownfield redevelopment

The Council's planning officers recommended approval but last week the Council's development control committee went against their recommendation and refused to grant outline planning permission for the residential-led development.

The planning application was in outline with all matters reserved except for means of access. The proposals included an 18-storey building and proposals for 705 new homes, retail space, 365 car parking spaces, a doctor's surgery, children's nursery and a bus interchange adjacent to Tolworth train station.

According to the planning officer's report the site was "identified as a 'key area of change', specifically for housing, public realm and transport improvements. The site [was] also identified as a housing opportunity area, a development area and a gateway."

The report also discusses all considerations; including the impact on the character of the area, density, design, the environmental impact, housing mix and affordable housing, transport infrastructure, traffic and sustainability.

The planning officer's report concluded that the proposed brownfield site is "located in a sustainable location adjacent to Tolworth District Centre and Tolworth Railway Station and is proposed to be developed at a density in accordance with the London Plan."

"The indicative plans for layout and heights have been tested against the Council’s adopted Development Plan to ensure that development of this quantum can be developed on the site without having an adverse impact on the character of the area, the amenity of surrounding residents and the highway network and all other material considerations detailed in the report. It is therefore considered that the development proposed complies with the terms of the development plan and there are no material considerations that indicate that these policies should not apply."

The development control committee went against this recommendation and according to a local press report, the reasons for refusal included concerns regarding density, traffic, parking, air pollution, character, design and the level of affordable housing.

Planning expert Victoria Lindsay of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com said "This is a set back for developer Meyer Homes following members' refusal of the development proposals by seven votes against with one abstention. Meyer Homes will need to address the Council's reasons for refusal if they want to deliver a scheme in this location."

"In January, the Council's development control committee approved plans for redevelopment at nearby Tolworth Tower for a residential-led mixed use scheme providing over 300 new homes in four new blocks rising up to 19 storeys," said Lindsay.