South London residents have hit out at a "monster" tower block that will replace an old NHS clinic on their road. Kingston Council green-lit the 13-storey building on Hawks Road despite concerns new residents will be able to look into existing homes.

Residents wrote to the council with fears about the tower block's size, their homes being overshadowed and traffic. The plans from London Square Developments and NHS Property Services will see Hawks Road Clinic bulldozed for 125 homes in a building up to 13 storeys tall. Half of the homes will be affordable. 

The existing two-storey building was used as an NHS clinic until February 2020 and a vaccine clinic up to April this year.

Local Natalie Bagnelle told the council's planning committee on November 2 the building won't fit into the area "on such a narrow road overlooking tiny cottages". She said it will give neighbours "major privacy issues" and claimed people who move into the new homes will be able to look into her bedroom.

Ms Bagnelle said: "The new building will allow lots of people to see straight into my property. With further heatwaves expected this building will worsen my ability to attempt to remain cool and comfortable and private – I will no longer have privacy in the most private of rooms." She added: "I do not want this monster opposite my house, my home. The new build may be set back very, very slightly, but it is closer than the clinic is now." 

CGI of the tower block on Hawks Road (Image: London Square).

Lib Dem councillor Olly Wehring said the application had got "a lot right" – being in an ideal brownfield site and providing much-needed affordable homes. But he warned: "Generally speaking, I'm not vehemently opposed to tall buildings. But in this instance I feel the envelope has been pushed a little bit too far, which is saying a lot for Norbiton." 

Jessica McSweeney, planning consultant for the developers, said the building will be the best reuse of the vacant site and at enough distance from neighbouring buildings.

She said: "The site's located at a key gateway to the Cambridge Road Estate, which is due to undergo a significant regeneration and change and the existing building is no longer fit-for-purpose and the applicant has demonstrated that the former community healthcare services have been reprovided in the borough and that no other party is interested in the site for community or employment use as existing.

"The proposed redevelopment would bring forward a high-quality residential-led development on surplus brownfield land making a meaningful contribution to the borough's affordable housing stock in the form of 63 affordable homes."

Councillors approved the development at the end of the meeting, with eight in favour, two against and one abstention.