Churning through pages of council documents can often be an arduous experience and with most now presented in a digital format, it has become increasingly difficult for elderly residents or those visually impaired wanting to learn more on borough-wide schemes. 

Founded in 1962, the Kingston Society is a voluntary and independent organisation concerned with planning and conservation within the borough. 

In its 61-year-history, it has acted as a voice for residents and continued to strive for increased public participation when it has come to decisions affecting the future of the Kingston borough. 

Traditionally, monthly meetings are held by the society where a guest speaker will speak on a topic of local interest, providing residents with the opportunity to voice queries or concerns, but with the publishing of the first draft of the Local Plan for Kingston laying out the shape of the borough's future for the next 20 years, the Kingston Society wanted to go a step further to ensuring all residents had the chance to contribute their input. 

The Local Plan developed by Kingston Council sets out the vision for the borough until 2041 and has been designed to make sure it has the right homes, jobs and schools as well as vibrant town centres, open spaces and transport, and will address and tackle important issues such as climate change and biodiversity, as well as to support the boroughs recovery from Covid-19. 

The end of January 2023 saw the pilot opening of Kingston's Urban Room at the Old Market House in Kingston's Town Centre, an open space where residents can come together to discuss development proposals and future plans for Kingston in a neutral, community friendly environment. 

Kingston Society's Urban Room allows residents to physically engage with past, present and future projects in the borough (Credit: Kingston Society)

Coinciding with the public consultation phase of the council's Local Plan, the society has already hosted three out of four scheduled lectures for this month to help residents digest the eight elements the plan consists of; Sustainable development, climate change and environmental sustainability, design and heritage, housing delivery, economy and town centres, social infrastructure, natural environment and green infrastructure and transport and connectivity. 

The first talk hosted at Kingston's Urban Room was led by Rebecca Eng, the Heritage and Conservation Lead for Kingston Council, who dived into the Design and Heritage aspect of the Local Plan and took questions from residents in attendance. 

A Housing lecture followed on February 8 hosted by Duncan Bowie, a senior lecturer in spatial planning at the University of Westminster and a former employee of the Mayor of London for planning policy. 

February 15 then saw Kingston Society Chair Tony Lancaster focus on design and beauty and informed residents on the process local authorities must go through when producing design applications. 

Peter Karpinski, is the man behind Kingston Society's Urban Room and expressed his delight in the communal effort to get the Urban Room project up and running. 

He said: "The Kingston Society has been pushing for an Urban Room since 2017 but we are delighted that the publishing of the borough's Local Plan has given us the opportunity to work with the Council, Kingston University, North Kingston Forum, Chessington and District Residents' Association and New Malden Residents' Association to trial this project. 

"Every town and city should have a space where the past, present and future of that place can be discussed. The Local Plan for Kingston sets out the future for our borough and it fundamental that everyone who makes up the borough is able to feel involved with shaping its future. 

An impressive turn out during one of three lectures Kingston's Urban Room has hosted on the borough's Local Plan (Credit: Kingston Society)

Mr Karpinski continued: "The Urban Room has provided unique opportunities for residents to hear first-hand from council officers directly involved in the borough's future development allowing them to voice concerns or queries and hear from leading industry professionals to provide a clearer understanding to the more complex sections of the plan. 

"It has been brilliant to hear from residents leaving the talks the Urban Room has hosted feeling a greater understanding of Kingston's Local Plan and optimistic regarding the borough's future, I urge those who haven't attended to come along to our discussion this Wednesday and get an idea about what Kingston's urban Room is all about!" 

Running from 12.30 – 2pm, this week's talk on Wednesday, February 22nd will discuss the sustainable aspects of the Local Plan. Those interested in attending are able to register HERE. 

Although initially running for a trial period through the course of February, Mr Karpinski hopes the positive feedback the Urban Room has received will lead to a permanent installation, but explained further consultation with council members and community organisations will need to take place before a decision is made. 

The consultation portal page for Kingston's Local Plan can be accessed HERE, residents will have until Tuesday, February 28th to submit their feedback.