Plans to bulldoze part of Kingston Hospital to build 128 new flats, a wellness centre and restaurant have been slapped down.

Residents slammed plans as a "cruise liner" claiming they would feel like they were on the "West End stage" as balconies on the new build would look into their gardens.

Kingston councillors were "conflicted" at the meeting last night (December 1) but refused the proposed eight storey development on the grounds of overlooking, privacy and being overbearing.

Liberal Democrat councillor Olly Wehring criticised the £927,000 contribution from developers being just "a pin prick on an elephant's a**" when compared with the cash sums needed to build anything in pricey Kingston.

Developers Advanced Living wanted to knock down the former Regents Wing, the Pain and Diabetes Building and part of the command centre at Kingston Hospital and build flats in their place.

These services were moved elsewhere on the site a few years back.

The new complex would be up to eight storeys, and would have had 128 apartments with care and communal facilities for elderly people.

It would replace the the Regents Wing, a Victorian building that was originally used as a workhouse.

Local resident Cristina Gosney told Kingston's planning bosses: "There remains a huge number of windows and balconies overlooking our properties which materially affects our privacy and creates a significant loss of amenity to an unreasonable degree in our view.

"It's a series of balconies and windows, it looks like we're on a West End stage. If we come out into our gardens, we're the players on the West End stage – it is that dramatic. The current building doesn't do that at all."

Andrew Blurton, director of Advanced Living said: "Now more than ever, it is important that older people are not isolated or left alone.

"Our development responds to this key issue, enabling residents to retain their independence whilst living in a safe community."

He said the development would create 45 permanent jobs and 550 construction jobs while being built with 50 apprenticeships.

But Kingston Cllr Dave Ryder-Mills said: "I'm hugely conflicted on this one as well for all sorts of reasons."

Three councillors voted in favour of the building, five against and two abstained which erupted into cheers and claps from relieved locals.

Plans were submitted back in October 2019 by Advanced Living. They bought the 1.4 acre development site in Kingston in March 2019.

Councillors voted to defer plans while they come up with reasons for refusal and will come back before committee at a later date.