Chessington District Residents' Association
Working for the residents in the South of the Borough of Kingston upon Thames
There was a consultation event on 19th September 2024 about the attraction’s current projects and new proposals. Chessington World of Attraction’s owners, Merlin Entertainments, has now submitted plans to Kingston Council for redevelopment, creating new attractions and accommodation.
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The planning application for the new leisure centre in Kingston – on the old Kingfisher site – has finally been submitted. The decision deadline is 3rd January 2025, so there’s still time to comment.
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London Square, a luxury property developer, has acquired the historic Grade II listed County Hall in Kingston. Formerly the headquarters of Surrey County Council, the site is poised for transformation. With existing planning permission, London Square plans to refurbish, restore, and extend the building, creating a total of 292 new homes. Among these, 256 will be private residences, 36 will be affordable housing units, and the development will also include 4,408 square meters of commercial space.
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As the only public transport available to residents in Malden Rushett, it is appalling that instead of improving services, Transport for London (TfL) have done the opposite by reducing the frequency of the 465 bus.
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The new state-of-the-art Cromwell Road Bus Station opened last week following a major revamp by Transport for London (TfL).
TfL wrote: “The new eco-friendly and energy-efficient sustainable bus station will provide safer and more convenient travel along with improved passenger facilities (and better facilities for bus drivers and staff too!)”
The new bus station improvements include real-time travel information screens, enhanced LED lighting & CCTV, new PA system and accessible customer toilet, and a wider passenger island.
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With 211 shared ownership homes built as part of the Signal Park development in Tolworth and more in the pipeline, we felt it an appropriate time to share our advice for anyone considering this option for getting onto the property ladder.
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Another high street branch of a major bank is closing next March. Lloyds Bank in Surbiton will close its doors on 4th March 2025. According to the bank’s regional director, this is due to more customers using internet banking or calling the bank and therefore using the branch much less.
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According to Love Kingston, the former Wilko store in New Malden is to become a Loon Fung supermarket offering a diverse range of Far Eastern grocery and household products. The future of the former Wilko store in Kingston is less certain. Funbox Entertainment submitted a planning application to convert the store into a sports entertainment venue offering indoor games like skittles, pool, bowling, snooker etc. Food and alcohol and late opening were also included on the application. This application has been withdrawn but, says Love Kingston, a new one has now been submitted. We will keep you updated as and when we hear.
Kingston’s Health and Wellbeing Board want to hear how we access and use our community pharmacies and local chemists. This is an opportunity to have your say and help ensure the pharmacy services in Kingston meet your needs now and in the future. If, like many Chessington residents, you are collecting your prescriptions from Boots in North Parade and found the shop to be very busy following the closure of the one on Hook Parade, this provides a chance to raise this issue. The survey deadline is 10th November.
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Do you have an idea for how our local streets and open spaces could be improved? Or a local project that would improve the lives of residents and attract business to the area? Richard Dean, Kingston Council’s South of the Borough Neighbourhood Manager, joined our Executive Committee meeting in October to explain why he wants to hear from you. Richard told us that the South of the Borough Neighbourhood plan is being developed and he and his team want residents in Chessington, Hook and Malden Rushett to submit ideas. Find out more