South London Hospital Wing Demolition for 150 Flats Recommended for Approval
Plans to demolish a former wing of a South London hospital to make way for 150 new homes have been recommended for approval by Kingston Council officers. The Regent Wing, located off Coombe Road, which served as part of Kingston Hospital until 2021, would be replaced with three six-storey apartment blocks under the proposed development.
High Standard of Design and Site Optimization
Council officers have ruled that the plans by developer Bywater Properties would best optimise the site and represent a high standard of design. The development is set to include 150 build-to-rent flats, along with cycle storage, five Blue Badge parking bays, play areas, and a new public path connecting Coombe Road to the site.
Historical Significance and Previous Plans
The Regent Wing is a Victorian building that originally served as the infirmary for the Kingston Union Workhouse. It was later repurposed as offices for Kingston Hospital but has been vacant since 2021, no longer forming part of the Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust. In 2022, the Planning Inspectorate granted an appeal to demolish the wing and construct 128 flats for older people, a wellness centre, and a restaurant in a block up to eight storeys tall, which included 43 parking spaces. However, these plans were never executed.
Improved Development Proposal
Bywater Properties, which later acquired the site, reviewed the previously approved scheme and identified several improvements. Planning documents highlight that the application site presents a significant opportunity to deliver much-needed housing in the borough on a previously developed site in a highly sustainable location, close to Norbiton station. The proposal aims to create an exemplary development that sets new standards for sustainable design, social value, and meaningful place-making.
Council Support and Delayed Decision
In a new report, council officers noted that the proposed build-to-rent flats would offer higher-quality, managed, and regulated rental housing, potentially making them more accessible to occupiers compared to for-sale housing. They also concluded that the development would be of an acceptable height, scale, massing, and appearance. The council's planning committee was originally scheduled to vote on the plans on March 24, but the meeting has been postponed to April 1, with a decision expected next week.
