Developer starts consultation for Surbiton Station regeneration

A developer has initiated a consultation on potential plans to "breathe new life" into a car park at the back of Surbiton Station.

Publishing potential development documents online yesterday (11 December), Solum proposes to build 243 homes, a multi-storey car park, and restore the southern station ticket hall.

London-based Solum is a partnership between Kier Property and Network Rail which unlock and develop brownfield sites for regeneration, housing and improving passenger experience. Income from the development that Network Rail receive is then re-invested back into rail infrastructure. Previously developments include Twickenham Gateway, Walthamstow and Guildford.

The public consultation document for Surbiton states: "This will be a sensitive regeneration that retains and enhances the station's art deco façade, ensuring the architecture remains a famous local landmark for many generations to come."

Multi-storey car park proposals. (Photo: Solum)

Replacing the current 446 car parking bays at surface-level, the developer plans to cut the number by almost 50% to 250 spaces for train station visitors. Electric vehicle (EV) charging points will also be introduced within the car park. In keeping with the design of the Grade II listed, art deco heritage of the station.

Housing plans. (Photo: Solum)

Documents posted online suggest the 243 new homes will be a mix of affordable housing and built to rent (BTR); although it is unclear what proportion of the new houses will be split.

According to Kingston Council's Affordable Housing planning document, developments of over 10 units should have 50% affordable properties; This suggests at least 121 of the new homes should be affordable.

BTR properties are not allowed to be sold on, but can provide added security and stability for those looking for longer-term tenancies. They often feature amenities and services which may not be available in traditional rental properties, such as communal spaces to provide a sense of community.

However, renting a newly built BTR property is not cheap. A two-bedroom apartment is currently on sale for £550,000 in Walthamstow Gateway, another Solum venture which was completed in 2019.

Southern ticket hall to be redeveloped for modern commercial purposes. (Photo: Solum)

According to the consultation brochure: "The heritage of the station will be reflected in the design of the new facilities which will reference the art deco style."

The document states Solum is also in discussion with the Railway Heritage Trust to "bring the Southern Booking Hall back into use as an art-deco style commercial use", whether a - shop, café or restaurant.

It adds: "Our aim is to ensure that the iconic station building remains a central point of civic life for Surbiton and opens currently underutilised areas for community benefit. All proposed improvements will seek to enhance the historic and architectural interest of the listed building and make it more accessible to local people."

Plans on the north side and south side of the station. (Photo: Solum)

New trees and "more convenient" cycle facilities are proposed on either side of the train station. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are currently in place on the regular pattern of trees on the south side of the station.

Solum is also "exploring the possibility" of using the station gantry as an alternative 'step-free' option to improve accessibility. However, this is part of an ongoing reviewing with South Western Railway.

Solum has met with Kingston Council in both June and December this year to discuss its proposals. The Council's Design Review Panel assessed the potential plans in August 2023. No formal application has yet been made, but Solum estimates it will submit a planning proposal by April 2024.

Residents and stakeholders can participate in the consultation to provide feedback in what they would like to see in the redevelopment of the Surbiton Station Car Park and improvements to the station.

In-person consultations will be taking place at the former Southern Ticket Hall in Surbiton Station: