A £250,000 competition has been launched to transform a roundabout that was damaged by Storm Eunice and a South London park. The contest, run by Kingston Council and the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) asks for design proposals to create an "attractive public space" in New Malden.

Shortlisted designs will be showcased in a public exhibition. The scheme involves re-landscaping New Malden's Fountain Roundabout and neighbouring pocket park, which is an entry point into the town centre for many locals, visitors and commuters. The fountain was damaged by Storm Eunice in early 2022 and submissions can propose improving the existing fountain or building a new monument as a gateway into the town, while celebrating the area's culture and history.

The council said the scheme will also support the town's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The competition is open for submissions and the final design will be announced in July after judges have reached a decision.

Competition documents from the LFA say the anticipated budget for the project is around £250,000 plus VAT. The winning team will be expected to develop a fully-costed, feasible design that can be installed by summer 2024

Lib Dem councillor Lesley Heap, chair of the New and Old Malden neighbourhood committee, said: "New Malden is a unique place with a vibrant community, and this is a great opportunity for us to continue to celebrate the pride we feel in our town.

"Making our town centres more attractive is a key part of our work to regenerate our borough and support the local economy. Exciting plans like this one help us to improve our community spaces, and bring life into the town centre.

"I look forward to seeing the proposals that come out of this design process, and working with local representatives on bringing forward a successful scheme that we can all benefit from."

A Kingston Council spokesperson said: "The competition is asking for designs that will create an inclusive and attractive public space in the heart of the town centre, including the re-landscaping of the roundabout and neighbouring green space. Design considerations will also need to address the damaged fountain and could suggest opportunities for a new monument which will signal a gateway into the town, whilst also celebrating the character, culture, and heritage of the area."

Ross Rogina, director of the LFA, said: "We're so pleased to be working with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames on this exciting competition in the vibrant town of New Malden. At LFA we're keen to test ways of improving London's public realm and green spaces – such as those around Fountain Roundabout. We can't wait to see how applicants take a community-led approach, making the site more people-focused, through their design proposals."

The competition is now open for submissions and will close on May 11. A public exhibition revealing the shortlisted designs will be held in New Malden in late June, where locals can comment on the submissions. Judges, made up of LFA members, the council and community representatives, will then decide on the preferred scheme and the final design will be announced in July.