Kingston residents have voiced concerns over a planning application to convert Canbury Place car park into residential units.

The original application submitted to Kingston Council included proposals to redevelop the site and include rental apartments, office and retail spaces, a gym and a nursery.

Jon Fray, a Kingston Cycling Campaign spokesperson said: "The design is contrary to the council's core strategy on Sustainable Transport because it does not enhance the strategic walking and cycling network.

Figures produced by transport consultants for Apache Capital show that the road network would be saturated with traffic in peak hours with the 'degree of saturation' estimated between 97.6% and 99.8%. Anything over 90% is a concern for traffic jams."

Following concerns over the original application, the proposal has been amended to demolish a reduced area.

Site areas to be demolished in the amended proposal include Canbury Place car park, Kingsgate Road and Walter Street.

Six veteran London Plane trees will also be cut down on Kingsgate Road as part of the development.

In response to residents' reactions to the original proposal, the amended scheme published in November 2024 intends to build 265 rental units, with 15% of these to become affordable units for residents.

However, locals have taken to Facebook to voice their disapproval of the new plan, with one resident saying: "This is an unwanted proposal, with only negatives, but most importantly, there is no social housing in the application, or actually affordable housing either."

Other residents said the location of the car park is good for accessing the town centre.

"They're going to close a road that's always full of traffic and a car park that's in a great location to park for access to the town centre and much needed shopping tourism," said one resident.

You can rview the full planning application here.

Kingston Council has been contacted about residents' concerns but have not yet responded with comment.