Kingston Council has been granted planning permission to create 45 new homes for older people and adults with learning disabilities at Acre Road.

In addition to delivering new affordable homes, the scheme will provide a new pedestrian path through the centre of the area, improve biodiversity on the site, and include significant new tree planting.

The proposals, created by architects Levitt Bernstein, focus on a high-quality, sustainable, and carbon neutral design.

The scheme includes spacious and dual aspect homes, as well as fully adapted wheelchair-accessible homes to ensure they meet the council's aspirations for inclusivity.

Regenerating the vacant former care home site on Acre Road represents a key opportunity for the council to use its assets in the most efficient way.

These new affordable homes will contribute positively to Kingston's housing targets and ensure that development is placed where it is most appropriate, whilst meeting the needs of local people.

Cllr Emily Davey, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "It's exciting for us to be able to deliver projects like this - truly affordable homes, at council rent levels, for some of our most vulnerable residents.

"We want to increase opportunities for people to live a happy and healthy life and meeting the growing housing needs and aspirations of our residents is an important part of that.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

"At Acre Road we will be creating council homes for people to live as independently as possible, as well as cutting carbon emissions and sustainably building for individuals and the environment, which is a great thing.

Demolition of the existing site is currently underway, and the estimated completion date is in May 2025.

Following committee approval to appoint a construction partner for the scheme earlier this month, procurement for delivering the project will take place shortly with an estimated start on site date in Autumn 2025.

Irene Craik, Director at Levitt Bernstein, said: "We're so pleased to have secured planning consent for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames to support their affordable homes programme.

"The scheme at Acre Road will provide inclusive and accessible homes for local older residents and adults with learning disabilities in a setting that promotes community and support and enables independent living.

"Importantly, the residents choosing to move into the later living homes will also help to free up much needed larger family homes in the borough."

You can find out more about the scheme here.