Kingston Council had already opposed plans by SGN and Berkeley Homes to build over 580 homes across 5 tower blocks.
But the decision was ultimately called in by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Deputy Mayor for Housing Jules Pipe, this morning, ruled the development can go ahead.
He did note campaigners’ concerns about large tower blocks in a predominately flat area were justified, but decreed the need for more homes was greater.
Mr Pipe also said that developments need to go in places where the transport structure is already in place, although some people living on the Sutton side of the development argue this is not the case for them.
Leader of Kingston Council’s Independent Resident’s group, James Giles says there’s not a lot that can be done to fight the plans now. He’s been speaking with Jackie’s Lucy Mayer.
We’ve contacted the Mayor’s office for comment.
A spokesperson for Berkeley said: “We welcome the speed with which the GLA called in and approved our plans for the derelict Motspur Park Gasworks. Our carefully designed plans will deliver 586 good green homes on this designated brownfield regeneration site, which is sustainably located within a short walk of a train station. The draft London Plan calls for over 55,000 new homes to be built every year, and we hope this swift and decisive intervention by the GLA will help ensure that other much-needed housing schemes are approved by local planning committees without unnecessary delays.”
