Last updated on 28 July 2026
The developers of a proposed back garden development at the rear of 13-15 Leatherhead Road which was refused planning permission in 2025 have returned with revised plans.
The initial 13-15 Leatherhead Road development was brought to our attention by a concerned resident who attended our executive committee meeting in November 2024. The application was for demolition of an existing residential dwelling’s garage (15 Leatherhead Road) and erection of three residential units with associated car and cycle parking, landscaping and access works to the rear of both 13 and 15 Leatherhead Road.
CDRA supported residents objecting to this development. The application was refused by Kingston Council.
Revised plans
In June 2026 the developer approached us with a revised design taking into account residents’ objections and observations and the points raised in the original refusal.
They requested to meet with the residents to show the revised design and to ask for comments. CDRA arranged a meeting which was attended by about 20 residents.
Among the things that had changed were the height of the proposed houses. The height has been reduced by 800mm. The revised scheme now does not have windows on the top floor overlooking the residents’ gardens as the area to the rear of this bedroom is now an ensuite.
The entry and exit to the development have been redesigned and a manoeuvring area included so that vehicles will be able to enter and leave the site in a forward gear.
The bin storage has been repositioned so that the bins will not have to be put on the pavement area for collection.
Residents’ coments
During the meeting, other points and requests were made by the residents which the developer said they would implement. They included:
- New fencing on all the adjacent boundaries where required.
- Where possible, screening with the proposed new planting of (semi-mature trees/hedges/green walls) could be placed to help alleviate any visual impact.
- The developer also said that if residents send photos of their current views then they would produce views with the proposed massing and new screening to reflect the reality of the views that would result.
- The lower first floor was requested to not be full height glass and the developer agreed to change this.
Timetable
The developer explained that they want to resubmit the application as soon as possible but are willing to receive further feedback in the next couple of weeks. Once submitted the application would take a couple of weeks to be validated and then there is a 12-week statutory period although this can often take longer before the decision date. Residents will be notified officially by the council and a period will be set for the comments to be lodged.
Background
At the time of the initial planning application resident’s concerns included:
- Only a very small number of households have been notified about this application. Residents in Bolton Road and Bolton Close, who will be affected by the new development, have not been notified.
- The three new houses will have a third storey which will overlook the gardens of some residents in Bolton Road and Bolton Close.
- The garden area being used to build on is on an upward slope, so the third storey will mean the new buildings will tower above the existing homes.
- A lot of trees have already been removed and limited further landscaping is included in the application. This will reduce the garden habitat.
The key reasons for Kingston Council’s refusal of the initial planning application was the loss of trees which would be “detrimental to the open leafy character of the area” and that the single access driveway proposed would result in “unacceptable impacts on the operation of the existing bus stop” on Leatherhead Road and the “function and safety of the highway”.
There were 90 objections received and only two supporting the application.