Motspur Park Gasworks Demolition Sparks Resident Fury 2026

Key Points

• Gas firm SGN and developer Berkeley Homes have submitted plans to demolish three gasholders in Motspur Park, proposing five apartment blocks ranging from eight to 16 storeys tall, providing 586 homes including 175 affordable units.
• The site is located on West Barnes Lane, KT3 6NQ, primarily in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, with northern access in Merton and impacts on Sutton.
• Plans have been in development since 2017, with formal applications submitted to Kingston and Merton councils (reference 25/02562/FUL).​
• Residents and groups like Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association (RPWBRA) strongly oppose the scheme, calling it a “nightmare” due to excessive height, density, overbearing massing, and incompatibility with Zone 4 suburban character.
• Concerns include poor public transport access (PTAL level 1-2b), traffic congestion at Motspur Park level crossing, overlooking of homes, loss of Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), harm to biodiversity, and infrastructure strain.
• RPWBRA, in an objection by Jerry Cuthbert dated 18 November 2025, urges refusal citing conflicts with local policies, tall building strategies excluding Motspur Park, and London Plan Policy G3 on MOL.​
• The gasholders, built in 1924, 1932, and 1954 (formerly Worcester Park Gas Holders owned by WANDGAS), are obsolete and scheduled for removal by 2029 per Ofgem strategy.​
• Developers propose ecological enhancements, a footbridge over Beverley Brook, biodiversity net gain, and post-construction pedestrian/cyclist access only from Motspur Park, with car club and decontamination.​
• Public consultation occurred, with a meeting on 11 February 2025 involving Berkeley’s Tom Fox, Councillor John Oliver, and residents; objections due by 12 December 2025 (Kingston) and 10 December 2025 (Merton).​
• Kingston upon Thames Society opposes high-density development on MOL, advocating reduced scale within gasholder footprints.​
• Local groups like Sparrowfeld Group and Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields worry about birdlife and flora/fauna impacts; site includes Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).​

Motspur Park (South London News) February 21, 2026 – Neighbours of the former South London gasholders in Motspur Park have voiced fierce opposition to plans by gas firm SGN and developer Berkeley Homes to demolish three historic structures and replace them with five towering apartment blocks up to 16 storeys high, housing 586 homes. The proposals, submitted to Kingston and Merton councils, include 175 affordable units but have been branded a “nightmare” by residents concerned about the scheme’s density, height, and incompatibility with the area’s limited infrastructure and suburban character.

What Are the Details of the Proposed Redevelopment?

The application, referenced as 25/02562/FUL, seeks demolition of existing gasholders and associated structures for phased redevelopment into five blocks from eight to 16 storeys, providing 586 residential units with ancillary facilities, landscaping, and works. As detailed on the developers’ site motspurparkgasholders.co.uk, SGN and Berkeley Homes aim to

“create a new place to deliver significant benefits for the wider community including new homes, ecological enhancements and improved connectivity.”

Berkeley Homes has been collaborating with SGN since 2017, with early discussions including a February 2025 meeting where Senior Development Manager Tom Fox outlined apartments (35% affordable in a separate block), brick design in a woodland setting, a footbridge over Beverley Brook to Millennium Wood and Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields, and a one-way lorry system during construction via West Barnes Lane and Kingshill Avenue. Post-construction, vehicular access would shift south, limiting resident cars and introducing a car club, with liaison on river quality, wildlife, Environmental Impact Assessment, GLA, TfL, and Network Rail.​

Why Are Residents Opposing the Plans So Strongly?

Residents argue the towers contravene local policies, overlook homes, and irreversibly alter Motspur Park’s character, with infrastructure unable to support the influx given limited public transport (PTAL 1 near site, 2a/2b by station) and a poorly lit path posing safety risks. As reported on MyLondon, locals said the major development was “not suitable for the Zone 4 area,” too dense amid scant services.

Jerry Cuthbert of Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association (RPWBRA), in an 18 November 2025 objection, stated:

“Whilst we have no objections in principle to the redevelopment of the Gasholder Site, we consider the Applicant’s proposals to be completely inappropriate for this location and in conflict with Kingston’s Planning Policies, the London Plan and National Planning guidance. Therefore, we hereby urge refusal of this Application.”

He highlighted overbearing massing up to 16 storeys conflicting with tall building policies excluding Old Malden/Motspur Park in Kingston, Merton, and Sutton.​

What Specific Concerns Have Been Raised About Height and Density?

Campaigners decry the 16-storey heights (down from initial 18) as overwhelming, with RPWBRA noting the gasholders—visible from miles, artistically portrayed (e.g., Sarah McAlister’s master’s)—are accepted landmarks, unlike solid towers. Density is criticised as excessive for the small site, cramming homes without fitting the suburban feel, per Merton Conservatives.

The Kingston upon Thames Society, in its position post-third consultation, asserted:

“As the site is Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), there is a strong presumption against any form of built development… the PTAL for the site is 1… The Society does not consider the site is suitable for the type and amount of residential development which is proposed.”

They observed herons and peregrine falcons on-site, urging development limited to gasholder footprints at reduced heights for biodiversity net gain.​

How Will Traffic and Access Be Affected?

Huge traffic fears centre on Motspur Park’s congested level crossing and surrounding roads. Construction would use a one-way system from West Barnes Lane (left turn at crossing) exiting via Kingshill Avenue, with gated accesses. Residents worry about disruption over 12-18 months for demolition, plus long-term strain despite post-build pedestrian prioritisation north.

RPWBRA report by John Elvidge and Jerry Cuthbert detailed Tom Fox’s map showing narrow service roads, stressing genuine consultation. Merton’s northern access amplifies cross-borough impacts.

What Is the Environmental and Heritage Impact?

The site, MOL with SINC inside and adjacent, borders Beverley Brook (nature value). Sparrowfeld Group fears bird community harm; Friends of Sir Joseph Hood note flora/fauna effects. Developers promise brook restoration and public access, but objectors cite London Plan Policy G3 against MOL boundary changes without exceptional circumstances and Kingston’s Core Strategy (CS3, CS4, DM5-DM7) protecting green spaces.

Gasholders, once Worcester Park Gas Holders by WANDGAS serving South London, are unloved per developers but cherished locally. Decontamination and retained gas facility require safety measures.​

Which Councils and Groups Are Involved?

Primarily Kingston Council decides, with Merton consultation (deadlines 10/12 December 2025 Kingston, 21 November extended). Sutton affected peripherally. Groups include RPWBRA (Clare and John Townsend report), Station Estate Residents’ Association Kingston (SERAK) via motspurparkgasholdersgetinvolved.com (337 docs), Kingston Society, Merton Conservatives.

Councillor John Oliver attended early meetings. Toby Ewin spurred interest.​

What Do Developers Say in Defence?

Berkeley’s Tom Fox described early plans as apartments by respected architects, 35% affordable via housing association, woodland setting, and community benefits like footbridge. Latest communication indicates revisiting aspects. They view gasholders’ removal (by 2029) as opportunity for enhancements.

What Is the Planning Timeline and Next Steps?

Pre-app meetings with councils; public consultation included presentations/meetings. Application lodged late 2025; objections via portals (e.g., motspurparkgasholdersgetinvolved.com links). RPWBRA urges refusal; Kingston Committee to decide, potentially GLA stage.

Residents monitor via Facebook groups, WhatsApp, dedicated sites. As of February 2026, no decision reported, with ongoing fierce debate.