Plans to demolish a former wing of Kingston Hospital for 150 new homes have been recommended for approval. 

Regent Wing, off Coombe Road, which was part of Kingston Hospital until 2021, would be replaced with three six-storey apartment blocks under the plans.

Kingston Council officers ruled developer Bywater Properties' plans would "best optimise the site and represent a high standard of design". 

The development would have 150 build-to-rent flats, cycle storage, five Blue Badge parking bays, play areas and a new public path linking Coombe Road to the site.

Regent Wing is a Victorian building which was previously the infirmary for Kingston Union Workhouse. It was later used as offices for Kingston Hospital, but it is no longer part of Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust and has been empty since 2021.

The Planning Inspectorate granted Advanced Living (Kingston) Limited's appeal to demolish the wing and build 128 new flats for older people, a wellness centre and restaurant in a block up to eight storeys tall in 2022. 



Visualisation of the plans for 150 new flats off Coombe Road. (Credit: Coombe Road PropCo Ltd/dRMM, provided in Kingston Council planning documents)

The plans included 43 parking spaces, but were never carried out.

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Bywater later bought the site and said it could make several improvements to the approved scheme, after reviewing it.

Planning documents said: "The application site presents a significant opportunity to deliver much-needed housing in the borough on the previously developed site in a highly sustainable location, close to Norbiton station. 

"The proposal will create an exemplary development that sets a new standard for sustainable design, social value, and meaningful place-making."

In a new report, council officers said the proposed build-to-rent flats would "offer higher-quality, managed and regulated rental housing that may be more readily available to occupiers to move into in comparison to for sale housing".

Officers also ruled the development "would be of an acceptable height, scale, massing and appearance".

The council's planning committee was due to vote on the plans last night (March 24), but the meeting has been moved to April 1.