A council headquarters in South West London could soon be turned into 326 homes, including tower blocks up to eight storeys high, under new plans. Revised plans could see Surrey County Council's old headquarters on Penrhyn Road turned into new flats and offices.

The number of homes initially proposed for the site has been cut from 341 to 326 and a tower block reduced by one storey. The revised scheme from developer RER Kingston would be made up of several buildings, including the five-storey Grade II* listed county hall, which would be refurbished, restored and extended under the proposals.

According to proposal documents, more than 82 per cent of the buildings on the site would be kept and there would also be a new library under the plans. Former offices in the county hall building would be kept and turned into homes.

The rooms on the first floor would be transformed for working and special events. The canteen and computer wing on the site would also be demolished and replaced with blocks between two to eight storeys to provide new homes.

A statement submitted with the plans reads: "The proposed development seeks to bring back into use the redundant Grade II* Listed Surrey County Hall, to provide a truly mixed-use development consisting of new flexible workspace, events space and highquality homes, whilst enhancing the landscape and pedestrian permeability across the site." It says the current site is in a "reasonable condition".

A cover letter also submitted with the application says the development would provide 25 per cent affordable housing.

The historic county hall was opened in 1893, when Kingston was part of Surrey, and extended from 1930 to 1982. Surrey County Council left the building in December 2020.

Kingston Council is currently considering the plans. If approved, the project would begin this year and be finished by 2026.