Developer Poppymill has created outline planning proposals, which are set to be submitted towards the end of the summer, seeking to "deliver a transformational development for Chessington, delivering up to 2,000 new homes and creating a multi-generational community, with family housing alongside affordable homes of various tenures".

The proposed site lies to the north of Clayton Road  in Chessington, which is bordered by the A3 to the west and north, and council-owned land to the east, and no longer meets the criteria for green belt allocation.

The area includes The Dell and Chessington Equestrian Centre, covering approximately 50 acres in total. Of this, around seven hectares consist of previously developed land, including former scaffolding yards and a variety of informal or unauthorised uses.

Aerial view of the site – outlined in red (Credit: Poppymill)

The developer's engagement has been ongoing since 2020 and is now preparing an outline planning application, which it calls 'Hook Park' – the nickname for the park located near the site.

Poppymill says that "This development will unlock neglected and inaccessible land, to deliver a new family-friendly neighbourhood that centres around a huge public park and community spaces".

The developer added: Our proposals will transform neglected and inaccessible land into a country park and a place of life, recreation, and opportunity."

The proposals include:

• 20 acres of open space, including an 8.4-acre park.
• 2,000 homes of which 50% will be affordable.
• A mixture of tenures with over a third of homes for families.
• Sustainable transport and improved connections.
• Community shops, cafes, and workspaces on site.
• Removing Clayton Road as a cut-through.
• Walkable community with cycle and pedestrian greenways.
• Investment in local sports facilities and playing fields.

Whilst the developer plans its outline proposals, it wants to hear what locals have to say about the proposals provided so far.

Thus, it will be holding three public consultations.

The first will be on Thursday, 26 June from 4pm – 8pm at Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church on Leatherhead Road.

The second will take place on Saturday, 28 June from 10am – 2pm at the Kings Centre in Chessington.

And the third will run from 4pm – 8pm on Wednesday, 2 July also at the Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church.

Approximately seven acres of the proposed site comprises previously developed land, including former scaffolding yards and areas of informal use (Credit: Poppymill)

Local residents have taken to social media to express their concerns about the proposals, which include concerns about overcrowding and clarity over where the exact site will be located.

However, a Poppymill spokesperson told Kingston Nub News: "The site lies to the north of Clayton Road and includes The Dell and Chessington Equestrian Centre, covering around 50 acres of currently inaccessible land.

"Approximately seven acres of this comprises previously developed land, including former scaffolding yards and areas of informal use.

 "The proposals which will be known as Hook Park aim to unlock this neglected land to create a new, family-friendly neighbourhood centred around a large public park, community spaces and new homes."

 You can find out more about the proposals and the consultations here.