Last updated on 18 June 2026
Kingston Council has issued its long-delayed Draft Local Plan in preparation for the statutory Regulation 19 consultation from 6th July 2026 to 4th September 2026.
Despite our councillors supporting residents against the proposed Hook Park development, this site has been included in the plan plus another 18,000 homes across the borough.
The whole of the Hook Park site (57 acres) and former Golf Club site (26 acres) have been re-designated from Green Belt to Grey Belt. Three sites in Chessington have been allocated as suitable for permanent traveller pitches including redevelopment of the Green Lane Farm kennels (6.5 acres). The Hook Park and old Chessington Golf Course sites have been designated as suitable for tall buildings.
The Draft Local Plan is to be presented to a Special Full Council meeting on Monday 22nd June 2026 at the Guildhall, Kingston. Thirty minutes has been allocated for questions from residents. CDRA and other residents have already submitted questions. The Council meeting is open to all. Please attend if you can.
Read the Draft Local Plan documentation.
Background
Every council must have a Local Plan to set out how the area will develop in the years ahead. Kingston’s has been repeatedly delayed. In February 2026 the council said work was underway on a new plan that will outline what the borough will look like over the next 20 years.
According to the council, the new Local Plan will set the vision and policies for future development — deciding what goes where, from homes and workplaces to schools, medical centres and parks, while also protecting and enhancing the borough’s heritage and natural environment.
Once adopted, it will replace the existing Core Strategy (2012) and the Kingston Town Centre Area Action Plan (2008). It will guide decisions on housing, employment, infrastructure, open space and community facilities through to 2043, and provide the policies used to approve or refuse planning applications.
Public consultation
The public consultation on Kingston’s final Draft Local Plan (called a Regulation 19 consultation) is taking place from 6th July to 4th September 2026. This will be the main opportunity for individuals and organisations to influence the plan before it goes to the government’s Planning Inspectorate by the end of the year.
Timetable
At February 2026’s Place Committee meeting, the following revised timetable was agreed:
- Q2 2026 – Publication of the draft Local Plan (Regulation 19 consultation)
- Q4 2026 – Submission to the Secretary of State
- Q2 2027 – Examination in Public
- Q3 2027 – Anticipated adoption
This proposed timetable is part of the borough’s Local Development Scheme, which is the council’s timeline for producing strategic planning documents.
We understand from reading the Kingston Society’s website that missing the end of year deadline for submission to the government could require the council to restart plan-making under a new national system, potentially delaying adoption by several years.
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