The first draft of the new Local Plan for Kingston has been published which will shape the borough's future for the next 20 years and residents are being encouraged to have their say before the consultation period ends on 28 February 2023.

The Local Plan developed by Kingston Council sets out the vision for the borough until 2041 and has been designed to make sure it has the right homes, jobs and schools as well as vibrant town centres, open spaces and transport, and will address and tackle important issues such as climate change and biodiversity, as well as to support the boroughs recovery from Covid-19.

It will replace the Council's Core Strategy 2012 and will also be used to assess all future planning applications.

Kingston Council carried out engagement with residents in 2019 and 2021 prior to developing the first draft of the Local Plan and will now host a series of in-person and online webinars where residents will be able to hear further about the Local Plan, with particular focus on sustainable development, the economy and town centres.

Dates and locations for the upcoming events are as followed:

• Kingston's Draft Local Plan - come and hear more about the draft local plan: Thursday, 12 January, 18:00 - 19: 30, location: online
• Kingston's Draft Local Plan - come and hear more about the draft local plan: Tuesday, 17 January, 18:30 - 20:30, location: New Malden Methodist Church
• Kingston's Draft Local Plan - come and hear more about the draft local plan: Wednesday, 25 January, 18:00 - 19:30, location: online
• Kingston's Draft Local Plan - come and hear more about the draft local plan: Tuesday, 31 January, 14:00 -15:30, location: The King's Centre

Like many other London boroughs, Kingston needs more affordable homes, as many local people currently cannot afford to rent or buy in the borough. There are around 3,500 households on the housing waiting list and over 900 households living in temporary accommodation. There is also a need for more housing which caters for different needs, including for families, older people and people with disabilities.

Kingston Council's timeline for the new local plan

The ways in which Kingston Council plan to manage development throughout the borough has been split into eight categories within the Local Plan; Sustainable development, climate change and environmental sustainability, design and heritage, housing delivery, economy and town centres, social infrastructure, natural environment and green infrastructure and transport and connectivity.

Within section 4 of the summary of the Local Plan, each category lays out the various improvements and issues residents want to see addressed and then the areas Kingston Council has been considering and the actions they plan to take.

The in-person meetings and online webinars will allow residents to raise queries and concerns to councillors and the consultation portal page provides locals with an opportunity to share their thoughts on the first draft of the Local Plan which will be used as it enters the next stage of development.

Residents have until 28 February 2023 to submit their feedback and can sign up for the in-person meetings and online webinars by following the links in the bulleted list of events above.

The full first draft of the Local Plan can be accessed here, and a summary, here.