Tall & Urban News

Key changes have been made to proposals for a tall building to be built next to Kingston station.

The proposed development on the Canbury Place car park has undergone a number of key changes after major concerns about its height, which were discussed at Kingston's Development Control Committee on 28 July 2020.

The key changes include a reduction in height from 25 to 17 stories, as well as a reduction in the number of homes from 445 to 389 and some road changes, including the introduction of a left-hand turn from Sopwith Way into Richmond Road as part of the first phase of development.

However, there were still concerns from residents and councillors that the buildings were too tall.

Conservative councillor David Cunningham said it was "unacceptable" that much of the guidance in the North Kingston Development Brief had been ignored, which included a maximum height of 12 stories.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Nick Hornby said the plan was for "due consideration" and "not absolutely binding". adding "we have adopted all the other elements" including on public realm and transport.

Architect Jo Cowen added that while she understood the height was "contentious," Kingston has a requirement to create new homes and the Canbury Place site is a key opportunity area near the station.

She added that height was needed to provide enough homes to make the scheme viable.

However, there was also some concern about traffic issues resulting from the development and the amount of affordable housing.

All of the new apartments will be build to rent, and only 24 percent will be affordable.

Of the 389 homes, 94 will be affordable, with 64 at discounted market rent, and 30 at London living rent.

The plans include 202 one-bedroom units, 26 studios, 121 two-bedroom units, and 40 three-bedroom units.

Cowen noted that homes had been lost from the scheme once the height was reduced, affecting viability, but said the affordable housing was still a "substantial offer."

The proposals for the site will also include commercial space on the ground floor and mezzanine level, including 1,827 square meters of office space, as well as a nursery, gym and retail use along Richmond Road.

The application will be decided at a later date by the Development Control Committee.

For more on this story, go to My London News.