KINGSTON County Hall, the former seat of Surrey County Council and a survivor of the London Blitz, is set to become 341 new homes and a flexible workspace.

The imposing Grade II listed building is almost 130 years old and still bears the scars of World War Two, when it was struck by three bombs including one which killed 3 people and caved in the canteen's roof.

Now developers RER plan to knock down some of the site's less historically important buildings and transform the former local government base into a landscaped residential quarter.

Plans revealed last month show that some 200 homes will occupy the old County offices of the listed building, set to be renovated sympathetically to become dwellings.

The former Council Chamber and courtroom is set to be transformed into a flexible workspace with room for around 600 people.

Other elements of the development will see the rebuilt staff canteen and buildings dating from the 1980s knocked down to become new homes for the borough. This includes the former site of Surrey Social Club and its tennis courts.

But Kingston planning group The Kingston Society criticised the design of the new buildings, saying they risk damaging the main historical front of the Hall and will negatively affect residents on nearby roads.

In a letter of feedback posted on the Society's website, TKS chairman Anthony Evans said: "We feel whilst there is as much to like about your proposals, there is considerable room for improvement for the new build elements."

You can see the plans in full on the RER website HERE.

Learn more about the history of Surrey County Hall at Exploring Surrey's Past