More council homes, revamped gardens and leisure centre replacement coming forward in Kingston in 2026
By Charlotte Lillywhite - Local Democracy Reporter 19th Jan 2026
By Charlotte Lillywhite - Local Democracy Reporter 19th Jan 2026
Kingston residents can expect to see new council homes bought, memorial gardens transformed and the replacement of a leisure centre near completion in 2026. Regeneration is at the heart of key projects being brought forward by Kingston Council this year, involving housing and leisure.
Major progress is expected on the long-delayed replacement of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre, which is now being built years after the original venue shut. The council is also bringing forward other long-awaited projects, including the second phase of the Cambridge Road Estate regeneration.
We have listed some of the major plans due to move forward in Kingston in 2026 below.
Replacement of Kingfisher Leisure Centre
The replacement of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre, in Kingston town centre, is expected to near completion by the end of the year. The council shut the original venue in 2019 when it was estimated repairs to fix the roof would cost more than £5million.
The project has seen major delays, including the council scrapping its original designs in 2023 when a tendering process to appoint a contractor returned a figure of £79.5m – much higher than the approved budget of £44.5m. It approved revised designs for the leisure centre in February last year and began construction in June.
The venue will have an eight-lane swimming pool with seating for 150 spectators, a teaching pool, four-court sports hall, two squash courts, changing facilities, showers, a gym, group cycling studio and three activity studios.
It will also have a health suite with a sauna, steam room and relaxation area, along with a café, public plaza, indoor soft play area and an upgraded play area in Fairfield East.
It is expected to open in spring 2027.
New themed land at Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures will open a new PAW Patrol-themed land in spring this year, after the council approved the plans. The new themed land will have four rides, meet-and-greet events, food and drink offerings, a picnic space and store.
The project is one of several being brought forward by Chessington's owner Merlin Entertainments to offer new experiences and attract more visitors to the resort.
Merlin won planning permission last year to replace Wild Asia and a neighbouring glamping site with another themed land, which is expected to open in 2027.
Merlin has wider plans to open a new waterpark with themed water slides, wave, infinity and spa pools, lazy and rapid rivers, an aqua play area, a splash pad, safari beach, cabanas, a snack bar and café at Chessington.
It submitted plans in 2023 to expand the resort's safari hotel to build the waterpark in a bid to rival the likes of Disney and Universal Studios.
The resort is still waiting on the council's decision on this application.
Memorial gardens to be transformed
Memorial gardens that date back 200 years in Kingston town centre will be transformed with new paths, trees, benches and play equipment this year.
Kingston Council approved the scheme for Kingston Memorial Gardens in 2024, which it described as the first in a pipeline of projects to regenerate the town centre and riverside.
Benches and plants will be installed around the garden's Grade II* listed World War I memorial to create the impression of a square, while more plants will be added around the gravestones to better protect them.
The Anne Frank and Holocaust memorial trees will be kept and improved with fresh plants, and their plaques will be cleaned and remounted.
Different walking routes will be created through the garden to improve connectivity to the town centre, including adding two new openings into Cloisters Mall.
More benches will be added in sunny and shaded areas, along with play equipment for children, including hollow logs and a living willow pod, and new bins.
Planning documents said: "Memorial Gardens is the first of a series of public realm projects coming forward in the near future. The riverside and town centre is undergoing transformation to improve active travel means, accessibility, inclusivity, cultural offer and increased biodiversity."
The works are due to be completed in spring.
Regeneration of Cambridge Road Estate
The regeneration of the Cambridge Road Estate, in Norbiton, will continue this year, with a decision on its second phase expected. The 832-home estate is being knocked down in phases to deliver 2,170 new homes, in a scheme led by the council and Countryside Partnerships.
Outline plans for the full redevelopment of the 1960s and 1970s estate were approved in 2022, with detailed planning applications coming forward for each phase. Construction work on the first phase of the regeneration, making up 452 new homes, began in late 2022 and is ongoing.
A detailed planning application to bring forward 383 new homes in the second phase of the regeneration has now been submitted, including 94 council homes, across the western part of the 1960s and 1970s estate.
A total of 258 homes in seven existing buildings are set to be demolished for the new homes, which are planned in blocks reaching up to 13 storeys tall.
A total of 1,335 homes are still left to be provided across remaining phases of the scheme. The estate will have 871 new council homes once the regeneration is complete, which is 218 more than on the original estate.
150 homes for families on waiting list
The council will press ahead this year with plans to borrow £63m to buy 150 homes to move families out of temporary accommodation. It plans to begin renting out the homes in spring.
The authority is setting up a special purpose vehicle – a company created for an individual project – so that it can buy 150 homes to rent out to residents. This will allow it to discharge its housing duty to these residents, so they are no longer on the waiting list.
The authority will borrow funds from the Public Works Loan Board, a government body, to buy and bring the homes up to standard. It will lease these homes to the company at £975 each a month.
The company will then lease these homes to tenants at rents set to the local housing allowance rate, which determines the maximum support available for renters.
The scheme aims to slash the authority's dependence on placing homeless people in expensive emergency accommodation, including hotels, and will include buying back homes it sold through Right to Buy.
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