Kingston Council Launches Consultation for 15-Year Local Plan, Kingston 2026

Key Points

• Final Draft Launch: The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has officially launched its statutory Regulation 19 consultation for the new Local Plan, setting out the spatial strategy and development policies through to 2043.
• Housing Target Expansion: The framework proposes nearly 20,000 new homes over a 15-year period, representing a significant increase from previous target allocations.
• Statutory Focus on Soundness: Running from 6 July to 4 September 2026, the current eight-week consultation invites feedback specifically on legal compliance and whether the plan meets national tests of soundness.
• Financial Contributions: Kingston Council revealed it has secured £25 million in developer contributions via Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy over the past five years to support local infrastructure.
• Land Re-Designations and Growth Sites: The draft highlights proposed changes to land designations—including reclassifications from Green Belt to Grey Belt in specific areas like Hook Park and Garrison Lane—alongside key regeneration schemes such as the Cambridge Road Estate.
• Next Regulatory Steps: Following consultation closure, the plan and submitted representations will be submitted to the Secretary of State by late 2026, ahead of an Examination in Public expected in 2027.

Kingston upon Thames (South London News) July 24, 2026 – The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has formally initiated the final public consultation stage for its comprehensive Local Plan, establishing the statutory planning framework that will govern development, housing targets, infrastructure investment, and land designation across the borough until 2043. The publication of the Regulation 19 draft represents the final opportunity for residents, business owners, developers, and local civic organisations to submit formal representations before the document is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination late this year. Covering a 15-year strategy period from 2028 to 2043, the plan aims to address housing demand by accommodating approximately 20,000 new homes, while directing infrastructure delivery, commercial development, and green space protection across the authority’s administrative boundaries.

What Is the Royal Borough of Kingston’s Local Plan up to 2043?

The Local Plan acts as the primary legal blueprint for spatial development and physical growth within the borough. Once formally adopted, it will supersede the council’s existing Core Strategy (adopted in 2012) and the Kingston Town Centre Area Action Plan (2008), becoming the principal document against which all future planning applications are evaluated.

As reported by Your Local Guardian, the plan sets out a comprehensive spatial policy framework that addresses climate resilience, design quality, heritage preservation, economic development, and social infrastructure.

Among its primary objectives is the delivery of sustainable, inclusive growth across Kingston’s key neighbourhood areas, balancing high-density urban development with environmental protection.

The central pillar of the draft document is its revised housing target. Assessing capacity across town centres, brownfield locations, underused employment land, and designated Key Areas of Change, the council has outlined a target of nearly 20,000 homes over the 15-year duration.

This reflects a notable increase in annual housing delivery expectations compared to previous benchmarks set under the London Plan.

What Statement Has Councillor Andreas Kirsch Issued on the Final Consultation Launch?

As reported by Your Local Guardian, Leader of Kingston Council, Councillor Andreas Kirsch, stated that:

“One of the things I value most about our borough is the pride people have in their neighbourhoods. From our high streets to our homes, community spaces to parks, it’s these places which bring us all together. This is why I’m so pleased to be able to share that our Local Plan, which is our shared vision for our borough up to 2043, has taken another exciting step forward, with the launch of the final consultation ahead of submitting it to the Planning Inspectorate.”

Councillor Kirsch expanded on the long-term strategic intentions of the document, explaining:

“Our Local Plan sets out our ambition to help secure an inclusive and sustainable borough for years to come. It will guide how the borough grows and develops, including the homes, jobs, infrastructure, community facilities, culture and leisure opportunities, and green spaces for future generations to thrive in, whilst celebrating and protecting what makes our Royal Borough unique.”

Highlighting the ongoing delivery of housing and civic amenities, Councillor Kirsch noted that the core focus remains on delivering essential requirements alongside active investments. As documented by Your Local Guardian, Councillor Kirsch emphasized:

“Delivering the homes and essential infrastructure people need is at the core of our Local Plan. While the Plan sets out our vision for the future, we are delivering for local people each and every day. Over the past five years, we have secured £25m in planning-related contributions, which are required from developers to help fund local infrastructure and community improvements associated with new development.”

How Does the Regulation 19 Stage Assess Legal Compliance and Soundness?

As reported by the UK Property Forums reporting team, the current consultation represents the statutory Regulation 19 stage under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Unlike earlier public engagement rounds that collected general feedback on broad principles, this phase is structured strictly around legal compliance and test parameters established by national policy.

As outlined in guidance published by the Kingston Society reporting team, submissions during Regulation 19 must focus specifically on whether the draft plan meets the tests of ‘soundness’ set out in paragraphs 36 to 38 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). To be deemed sound by an independent Planning Inspector, the plan must be:

1. Positively Prepared: Based on a strategy that seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements.
2. Justified: An appropriate strategy, taking into account reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence.
3. Effective: Deliverable over the plan period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities.
4. Consistent with National Policy: Enabling the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with central government policies.

The public consultation period began on 6 July 2026 and is scheduled to run for eight weeks, closing at 11:59 pm on Friday, 4 September 2026. Submissions can be submitted online, via email, by post to the Spatial Planning Team at Guildhall 2, or via hard-copy feedback forms at local libraries.

How Are Planning Obligations and Developer Contributions Funding Community Infrastructure?

To support the population growth projected in the Local Plan, Kingston Council highlighted its recent track record in collecting planning contributions.

These contributions are secured through Section 106 legal agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which require private developers to contribute capital toward public infrastructure improvements linked to their projects.

As detailed by Your Local Guardian, Councillor Kirsch confirmed that the £25 million collected over the past five years has been directly allocated to public infrastructure projects across the borough. Specific projects funded or co-funded by these contributions include:

• Leisure Infrastructure: Direct investment into the development of Kingston’s new Leisure Centre.
• Social Care: Allocation of over £1.5 million toward the establishment of a new children’s residential care facility.
• Environmental & Waste Upgrades: Funding for electric waste collection vehicles to support low-emission operations.
• Public Realm Improvements: Refurbishment of public facilities along Queen’s Promenade and ongoing maintenance of local parks.

Furthermore, Councillor Kirsch referenced key housing projects currently making progress within the borough, citing the regeneration of the Cambridge Road Estate, which is planned to deliver 2,170 new homes upon completion, with initial residents having moved into sustainable, accessible units earlier this year.

What Development Proposals and Land Re-Designations Are Outlined in the Plan?

As documented by the Chessington District Residents Association reporting team, the Local Plan contains detailed site allocations that identify specific plots for future residential, commercial, and community uses. Among the most significant elements of the spatial strategy are proposals relating to high-density developments and changes in land designations.

The draft plan includes re-designation proposals for specific sites located in the southern parts of the borough:

• Hook Park: The 57-acre site at Hook Park has been proposed for re-designation from Green Belt to Grey Belt status, with designations indicating suitability for higher-density and tall building development.
• Garrison Lane: The 26-acre former golf course site on Garrison Lane is similarly proposed for re-designation to Grey Belt status.
• Specialist Allocations: Three locations in Chessington, including the 6.5-acre Green Lane Farm kennels site, have been designated as suitable for permanent Gypsy and Traveller accommodation pitches.

These specific site allocations are undergoing detailed public scrutiny, particularly regarding their potential impact on local transport networks, health services, school capacity, and surrounding character.

What Is the Background of the Local Plan Development?

Every local planning authority in England is statutorily required to maintain an up-to-date Local Plan under national planning legislation. The development of Kingston’s new Local Plan has involved a multi-year preparation process marked by evidence collection, strategic capacity assessments, and public consultation stages.

Prior to reaching the current Regulation 19 stage, Kingston Council undertook three distinct phases of community engagement:

• Early Engagement (2019): Initial gathering of community priorities regarding housing, green spaces, and town centre development.
• Further Engagement (2021): Refinement of key policy themes and growth options.
• First Draft Local Plan / Regulation 18 Consultation (November 2022 – February 2023): Public feedback collected on the first full draft of options and vision statements.

Following feedback gathered during the Regulation 18 consultation, the council revised its evidence base, incorporating updated assessments on flood risk, land availability, industrial space requirements, and infrastructure capacity. In February 2026, Kingston Council’s Place Committee formally approved an updated timetable leading to the publication of the Regulation 19 draft in July 2026, targeting full submission to central government by the end of 2026.

Explore More Kingston Upon Thames Council News

Kingston University 29m Arts Block Refused: South London, 2026

Kingston Council Plans 20,000 New Homes: Kingston 2026

What Is the Future Outlook and How Will This Development Affect Local Residents and Developers?

The publication and anticipated adoption of the Kingston Local Plan up to 2043 will have direct, long-term implications for local residents, property owners, and property developers operating within the borough.

For residents, the plan establishes the framework for where new construction will occur over the next 15 years.

Communities in areas designated as Key Areas of Change—such as Kingston Town Centre, Surbiton, Tolworth, and Chessington—can anticipate increased development activity, higher construction density, and potential changes in local skylines.

Conversely, the plan outlines statutory protections for heritage assets, river corridors, and designated green spaces, providing certainty regarding protected areas.

The systematic collection of S106 and CIL contributions will directly influence the capacity of local infrastructure, determining the delivery of upgraded leisure facilities, healthcare access, public transport improvements, and school provisions.

For developers, landowners, and planning consultants, the Local Plan introduces legal certainty regarding land-use allocations, affordable housing obligations, design standards, and environmental requirements. Proposals that align strictly with adopted site allocations and policy requirements will benefit from a more streamlined path through the development management process.

The inclusion of specific Grey Belt re-designations provides targeted opportunities for larger-scale residential development, while strict policies on energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and public amenity will require developers to meet comprehensive standards to secure planning permissions.

Following the conclusion of the consultation on 4 September 2026, all submitted representations will be compiled and submitted alongside the Local Plan to the Secretary of State by Q4 2026.

An independent Planning Inspector will conduct an Examination in Public in 2027 to test the document’s legal compliance and soundness.

If found sound, final adoption by Kingston Council is anticipated in late 2027 or early 2028, at which point it will become the primary statutory planning policy for the borough.