Re-designation of the Neighbourhood Forum
Many thanks to all who attended our AGM by Zoom, it was lovely to see everyone and update you with our progress. It is clear there are many Planning challenges ahead.
At the AGM (draft minutes to follow) we voted in our new committee, resolved a minor change to our Constitution and resolved to submit our application to re-designate the Neighbourhood Forum, which will allow us to submit the Neighbourhood Plan. The application for re-designation has been submitted to Kingston Council who are now running a consultation, the details can be found on the Council's Let's Talk website. Should you wish to respond to the consultation, responses must be submitted by the 22nd July 2022. The Council will use the feedback they receive to inform the decision making on this application. The Council must make a decision by 25 August 2022.
The council can be contacted at:Email localplan@kingston.gov.uk
An Urban Room for Kingston
An Urban Room is a powerful way of involving people in the design process for their area. Following a joint letter to the council in February we, along with representatives from the Kingston Society and Chessington District Residents' Association met with the leader of Kingston Council, Cllr Andreas Kirsch on the 9th June. We discussed a 'Manifesto for a Kingston Urban Room' along with Cllr Roger Hayes (Portfolio holder of Planning & Community Engagement) and Cllr Peter Herlinger (Portfolio Holder Culture, Heritage & Governance). Representatives from Strategic Planning, Community Engagement and Aoife Donnelly from Kingston University who was involved with the Croydon Urban Room were also present. Good progress has been made and we had a very positive meeting with a clear impression of interest from the council. Another meeting of a working group is planned for July.
Canbury Car Park update
You are all aware of the proposed high rise development on the Canbury Car Park. I’m delighted to let you know that our efforts opposing the development are bearing fruit !! It seems the Council is minded to reject the development!! The Council is being supported by the Mayors office. We are also delighted to note that our MP Sarah Olney fully supported our representation on this planning application.
We will be carefully monitoring the situation and let you know about any further updates, should they arise. More information can be obtained from the GLA website
Tolworth Tower ( APP/Z5630/W/21/3278268)
The Planning Application to renovate Tolworth Tower, converting much of the existing office space into homes, and erecting 2 towers of 19 & 15 storeys has been refused after an inspector found at Appeal that the development would fail to safeguard office space or achieve net-zero carbon. The council also criticised the bland and generic nature of the 2 new towers which jarred with the 'striking' nature of the original tower designed as an office building by architect George Marsh of R. Seifert & Partners. This conclusion was shared by the inspector who judged that the new buildings would not 'represent a beautiful development as required by the framework'. Good to see that Design is finally being recognised as critical to the success of any development.
Your Neighbourhood Forum committee will continue to monitor planning applications in our neighbourhood, and keep you updated on developments of potential interest borough-wide. Thank you for your support.
Kind regards
Diane Watling
(Chair North Kingston Neighbourhood Forum)
Early morning North Kingston looking east with Albany park road in the foreground.
