Policy information sourced from the Kingston Upon Thames Core Strategy

KT1 Kingston Town Neighbourhood

The Council will:

a. Assess and progress the feasibility of District Heat Networks in the Hogsmill Area and Kingston Town Centre

b. Promote the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) in new developments to reduce surface water run-off and apply the findings of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) to reduce flood risk. In addition, the Council will work with partners to mitigate effects in the areas associated with the highest flood risk, which are:

  • Mill Street/Villiers Road area
  • Along the Hogsmill River and Thames Water Sewerage Works
  • Area adjoining Albany Mews
  • London Road
  • Gibbon Road

c. Work with partners and landowners to protect and enhance the natural and green environment by:

  • completing the Hogsmill Walk and balancing the land use needs in the Hogsmill Valley, as well as enhancing its environment and biodiversity and increase public access
  • enhancing the ecology and quality of open spaces in Canbury Gardens, Athelstan Recreation Ground, Latchmere Recreation Ground, Kingfisher and Kingston Road Recreation Ground
  • improving and/or expanding allotment facilities in line with the Council’s Allotment Strategy, particularly in the Canbury area to address the deficiency in provision
  • progressing and implementing a Riverside Strategy

d. Promote and enhance sustainable travel options by:

  • working with partners to improve orbital links with other London boroughs
  • working with partners to enhance cycle and pedestrian routes along the Thames riverside and to the Royal Parks
  • improving the local network of pedestrian and cycle routes particularly to Kingston Town Centre, shopping parades, schools and other key facilities
  • working with the London Borough of Richmond to improve cross boundary links, particularly to address bus delays on Richmond Road
  • working with South West Trains to improve Norbiton Station including the provision of secure cycle parking and improved platform access
  • continuing to manage on-street parking to prevent commuter parking including on the outskirts of the Town Centre and Norbiton Station

e. Maintain and improve the character, design, and heritage of the area by:

  • protecting and enhancing the features that contribute positively to the character and identity of Kingston Town. For example:
    • the areas of high quality small-medium sized family housing
    • the quality of the Thames Riverside, particularly Canbury Gardens and the area north to the Richmond boundary
    • key views across the Neighbourhood, such as from Richmond Park towards Kingston Town Centre
    • small areas of amenity green space, e.g. grass verges in the Tudor area
    • improving attractiveness and safety of pedestrian links to the Hogsmill River
    • enhancing links with Athelstan Recreation Ground
  • considering the following areas for public realm improvement:
    • Canbury Gardens
    • Lower Ham Road
    • Richmond Road
    • Coombe Road
    • Cobham Road
    • Church Road
    • Aldersbrook Drive
  • considering extensions to the boundaries of the following Conservation Areas:
    • Riverside North
    • Kingston Old Town
  • considering parts of Norbiton for Conservation Area status/special planning control

f. Accommodate the majority of new housing in Kingston Town Centre. However the Council will also:

  • outside Kingston Town Centre, focus housing delivery in the Norbiton area and promote the regeneration of the Cambridge Road Estate
  • ensure that smaller “windfall” residential developments do not deplete the existing stock of small to medium sized family housing in the Kingston Town Neighbourhood
  • deliver circa 300 bedspaces and associated leisure, recreation/sport social facilities in the Hogsmill Valley
  • seek to meet needs for affordable housing and work with partners to identify suitable sites

g. Enhance the economy and employment opportunities by:

  • working with partners in order to maximise employment opportunities for those residents who face barriers to employment, particularly in order to address disproportionately high levels of worklessness in the Norbiton area
  • working in partnership with Kingston University and Kingston College to enhance their facilities and their role in the local economy

h. Maintain and enhance facilities and services in the Neighbourhood’s Local Centres according to the recommendations below:

  • Cambridge Road - ensure a range of shops and services is retained to meet local needs
  • Coombe Road - support the addition of a suitably sized convenience store
  • Kings Road - retain a suitably sized convenience store so that it continues to trade successfully
  • Kingston Hill South/Park Road - ensure a range of shops and services is retained to meet local needs
  • Richmond Road - ensure a range of shops and services co-exist with the specialist stores
  • Surbiton Road - resist the addition of any further A5 uses
  • Tudor Drive - resist the addition of any further A5 uses

i. Work with local health providers in order to identify opportunities for improved GP facilities in the Grove and Canbury areas; where current provision is considered to be below standard

j. Work with the Metropolitan Police, property owners and developers to secure the provision of new patrol bases for the Norbiton police officers

k. Improve education services and facilities by:

  • implementing plans for one new secondary school (potentially on the North Kingston Centre site)
  • working in partnership with Kingston University and Kingston College to enhance their facilities and their role in the local economy

l. Improve community services and facilities by promoting the wider use of facilities such as schools for community based activities, and support partnership working to facilitate the co-location of a range of community facilities, e.g. All Saints Church.

For more information please see the Kingston Upon Thames Core Strategy