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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Kingston’s new leisure centre
Former County Hall, Kingston
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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465 bus – TfL has reduced frequency
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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Cromwell Road Bus Station, Kingston
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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Considering shared ownership? Get independent legal advice
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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Lloyds Bank Surbiton branch closure
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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New life for old Wilko stores in Kingston and New Malden
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.
Have your say on pharmacy services
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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Ideas wanted to improve our neighbourhood
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
Redevelopment of Chessington Industrial Estate approved
A substantial redevelopment project at Cox Lane and David Road on the Chessington Industrial Estate has been approved by Kingston’s planning committee. The existing structures, many of which are vacant, were found to be inadequate for modern industrial requirements and consequently been earmarked for updating. According to the planning report, the proposed development aims to introduce flexible industrial space catering to a wide range of industries.
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