The Planning Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council was scheduled to consider two significant planning applications. The first application proposed the demolition of existing gasholders and the phased redevelopment of the Gas Holder Station site in Motspur Park, New Malden, to provide 586 residential units. The second application, for Hobkirk House in New Malden, sought outline planning permission for the demolition of a vacant former care home and the erection of a part four and part five-storey building comprising 36 dwellings.

Gas Holder Station, Motspur Park, New Malden (Application Ref: 25/02562/FUL)

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal for the demolition of existing gasholders and associated structures at the Gas Holder Station in Motspur Park, New Malden. The site, which is partially within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and partially within the London Borough of Merton, was slated for phased redevelopment to provide 586 residential units across five blocks ranging from 8 to 16 storeys in height. The proposal included ancillary residential facilities, new pedestrian and cycle routes, publicly accessible open space, amenity space, landscaping, and parking. A key aspect of the application was its location within Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), which is afforded the same protections as Green Belt land under the London Plan. The report indicated that while the development would result in harm to the visual openness of the MOL, it was assessed as not meeting the threshold of substantial harm as defined by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), thus potentially meeting an exception test for development on MOL. The application was also noted to be a cross-boundary application with the London Borough of Merton. The recommendation was to approve the application, subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.

Hobkirk House, 109 Blagdon Road, New Malden (Application Ref: 25/01660/OUT)

The committee was scheduled to consider an outline planning application for Hobkirk House, a vacant former care home located at 109 Blagdon Road, New Malden. The proposal involved the demolition of the existing building and the erection of a part four-storey and part five-storey building containing 36 dwellings. Associated bin and cycle provision, along with the re-siting of access and parking bays, were also part of the application, with landscaping matters reserved for future consideration. This application was a resubmission following previous refusals and dismissed appeals. The report highlighted that the site was located within a moderate Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) of 3 and was within walking distance of New Malden train station. The proposal aimed to provide a mix of dwellings, with a significant proportion designated as family-sized. The report noted that the applicant had agreed to a financial contribution towards affordable housing, which had been a key issue in previous appeals. The recommendation was to approve the application, subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.