Kingston councillors have slammed plans by developers to bulldoze Hawks Road clinic and build a 13-storey tower in its place.

Councillors on the borough authority say the proposed block of flats is too big and have criticised the amount of affordable housing on offer.

One said the tower would be "too bl**dy big" and another expressed their "massive disappointment" over the proposals.

Developer London Square plans to turn Hawks Road clinic in Norbiton into a block with 123 flats, 42 of which will be let at affordable London rates.

The scheme if approved would provide one, two and three bed homes as well as 220 cycle spaces.

Commercial and community uses on the 'car-free' site are also being explored with London Square asking the local community for their views.

But following the news on Friday, Lib-Dem councillor for Norbiton ward Olly Wehring said: "I'm massively disappointed that the council has not been able to capitalise on this public asset that the NHS itself has deemed surplus to its requirements to provide desperately needed council housing in Kingston."

He added: "My argument is that I think for its location, it's too high."

Cllr Kevin Davis, leader of Kingston's opposition Conservative Group and councillor for Old Malden Ward, said: "It's too bl**dy big.

"Doubtless they will say it isn't any bigger than the Cambridge Road Estate but this is putting the height right on the edge of the road.

"And whilst I think the lower buildings are quite attractive, the taller building is soulless and characterless when we should be striving for design excellence, not some lazy London vernacular."

Kingston's Hawks Road clinic has been empty since early 2020 but was brought back into use this year as the borough's first covid vaccination centre.

Hawks Road remains a key place where residents can get their jabs, with longer opening hours and more capacity than pharmacies and GPs, but it will close once the NHS' vaccination programme is ended.

Kingston Council made a bid for the clinic when the local CCG decided to sell it off in 2019, but their offer was rejected by NHS Property in favour of a private developer.

The building is near the Cambridge Road Estate which is currently undergoing an £800m regeneration plan that will provide approximately 2,170 new homes and a minimum of an additional 114 council homes, a new community centre, gardens and play areas.

A spokesperson for Kingston Council said: "The planning application for the Hawks Road site has not yet been submitted – the applicant is engaging with the community prior to lodging it.

"Once the council receives an application for the site, it will go through the normal planning process and will be subject to robust scrutiny and consultation."

They added: "The council worked very hard to purchase the site, putting in a bid in early 2021 and highlighting the multiple benefits to the local community of incorporating it into the wider Cambridge Road Estate regeneration programme.

"NHS Property ultimately went with a higher bid from a private developer at a price that was beyond what we as a local authority could offer."

A spokesperson for London Square said: "We are excited to be developing proposals for the former Hawks Road health clinic, which will help complete the wider regeneration of Cambridge Road Estate.

"Our objective is to deliver a high-quality scheme that reflects the aspirations of the local community and helps local people get on the housing ladder.

"We have an extensive programme of engagement planned to ensure that local residents can provide their views and help shape our plans."

Read more about the London Square plans for Hawks Road and fill in the consultation HERE.