The development fails to deliver an appropriate mix of housing (and uses!) required by Kingston Council and national policy. Instead, it focuses on financial viability, packing small units into tall tower blocks at the expense of residential quality and the needs of the local community.

“The overall aim should be to meet an area’s identified housing need, including with an appropriate mix of housing types for the local community” (NPPF paragraph 61).

Kingston’s Core Strategy requires that developments provide a minimum of 30% of dwellings as 3 or more bedroom units (Policy DM 13). There is no real shortage in Kingston of studio or one bed flats that this development provides.

Kingston’s Local Housing Needs Assessment 2024 is clear about the shortage of affordable housing and recommended mix.

Despite Kingston’s Core Strategy also identifying Motspur Park and Old Malden as having the Borough’s greatest deficiency in retail (Policy MC1), the proposals fail to make any provision for this.

The development fails to take a long-term view, focussing on the immediate delivery of units that only just meet minimum standards for gross internal floor space. Residents will be crammed in, located away from major centres of economic activity and services, with poor transport options.

Contrary to the London Plan (Policy GG1) It is not a development that will build a strong and inclusive community. Residents will struggle with personal independence and be seperated from the wider community.

Some habitable rooms wil not meet recommended daylight standards. 28% of new homes will be single aspect. This does not feel like a good residential quality of life, or a long-term sustainable location.