Controversial plans to turn Kingston's tallest building into homes have returned after old plans rejected on appeal faced fierce local backlash. The company behind the plans for iconic office building Tolworth Tower has launched a consultation and will be submitting a full application to Kingston Council soon.

Investment company Meadow Partners has revealed the new plans would still see the empty 22-storey Tolworth Tower retained and two new tower blocks built next to it, with one 19 storeys tall and the other 15 storeys tall. Up to 500 homes would be built on the landmark site, along with offices, shops and open space. There would also be a new public plaza on Tolworth Broadway.

Consultation documents show key changes from the previous plans include proposals for roughly 75 per cent more employment space, more green spaces and a design closer to that of the 1960s Tolworth Tower.

The most recent application for the site was rejected by Kingston Council in May 2021 and thrown out by the planning inspector in June 2022. Around 304 locals objected to the proposals, with fears the tower blocks would be too tall and out of place. They also raised concerns about traffic, loss of offices and that there weren't enough local facilities for the development. The Kingston Society said a "lower rise approach should be explored".

A report by the planning inspector said: "I have concluded that the proposal would result in significant loss of employment floorspace provision and that a lack of robust evidence exists on whether it would be feasible for Tolworth Tower, or parts of it, to be re-used for lower cost and affordable workspaces and/or small office unit use."

It added: "The refurbishment of the vacant and deteriorating Tolworth Tower would ensure its long term retention and use. This benefit would carry some considerable weight. Other benefits offered by the proposed development in terms of the provision of the new public plaza, minimising the need to travel, the efficient use of brownfield land, construction jobs and investment into the local economy are all acknowledged.

"However, overall I am of the view that these would offer comparatively modest public benefits which only attract moderate weight."

Consultation documents for the latest plans say the inspector's report "agreed that the scheme complied with the majority of planning policy" but identified three areas of improvement which have been addressed.

Offices in Tolworth Tower would be turned into up to 260 homes, with up to 240 homes across the new towers. Around 130 car parking spaces and 870 cycle spaces have been proposed.

A full planning application is expected to be submitted to Kingston Council this winter. Meadow Partners has been contacted for comment.