Developer Bywater has revised existing plans to convert the former Regents Wing at Kingston Hospital into 128 self-contained residential homes for elderly residents to instead build 150 new "high-quality" homes at the same site.

The developer purchased the site, which has experienced minimal use over the last few years, in 2024, and says it has since "been working hard to design an improved scheme which relates more comfortably to its surrounding context, while continuing to deliver much-needed new homes for Kingston".

Bywater wants to build 150 new homes at the former Regents Wing of KIngston Hospital (Crredit: Bywater)

The original proposals for the site were granted planning permission in 2022.

However, according to Bywater, "while the previously approved designs were a visual improvement on the existing building, they featured an increase in height and a bulky design.

The developer said: "This made the proposed building appear imposing along Wolverton Avenue, further blocking the views of those living on Wolverton Avenue and also raised concerns about the privacy of residents."

Exisiting planning permission for the site proposed to build 128 self-contained apartments (Credit: Bywater)

Speaking about the new proposals, it added: "Our new proposals have been designed as three separate buildings, breaking up the existing building and creating new views from Wolverton Street.

"The new proposals will be less imposing, allow more sunlight, and more welcoming views across the site."

The new proposals will include 150 new "high-quality" homes, featuring a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units, all designed to a high standard, cycle parking, and flexible amenity space for residents.

The former Regent's Wing of Kingston Hospital, which occupies the site today, was originally constructed as an Infirmary for the Kingston Union Workhouse.

It served the workhouse until its operation ceased in 1902, at which point it became the Kingston Infirmary.

This new information provided by Bywater follows two public consultations the developer held yesterday.

Bywater will be holding another public consultation online from 6pm – 7pm on Wednesday, 11 June and is inviting residents to have their say via its website before 17 June.

You can find out how to attend the online consultation, how to leave a comment on the proposals, and more information here.