Development Company Proposes Demolition of New Malden Homebase

A development company is looking to submit plans to demolish a Homebase store and a nearby pub in New Malden to create space for more than 300 new houses.

Fairview New Homes held a public exhibition for the plans in November 2018 and revealed its intention to build 320 homes in a building of up to nine storeys, on the Kingston Road site. 

The proposals indicate that there will be 144 car parking spaces and 600 bicycle spaces.

A further meeting has been set up for Thursday, January 24th to allow the public to see any updates to the plans.

In October 2018, Fairview New Homes announced it had acquired a key site within the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames, stating: 

"Located on Kingston Road the three acre (1.2 hectare) Homebase and former public house site offers excellent potential for a residential development for in excess of 250 new apartments in a sought after area.

"Fairview has purchased the site unconditionally without planning permission, paying in excess of £22m.

"The company will be presenting innovative plans to the local authority that compliment the mix of architectural styles and land uses in the area.

"The facilities of Kingston town centre are close-by and there are two primary schools within easy walking distance.

"With the A3 just a short drive away and three different railway stations within close proximity, transport access to central London is both convenient and excellent.

"The site currently comprises a Homebase retail warehouse, which is scheduled to close during the coming year, together with a vacant former public house (closed Spring 2015), the Prince of Wales.

"Fairview Land Director, Rhys Davies, said: “It is never healthy for a local area when sites become disused or their future is uncertain.

"We are delighted to acquire this site and provide a well-designed solution that provides much needed local housing.

"Fairview has the imagination and vision to make unconditional purchases such as this without unnecessary delays.

"Assembling a site with multiple owners always presents a challenge and we look forward to putting together a scheme that maximises the potential of the site both for residents and for the local community.”

Fairview New Homes was represented by Long & Co. while Strutt & Parker acted on behalf of Homebase and Savills sold the public house.

A Fairview spokesperson said: "The purpose of the meeting will be to review the previous scheme presented at the public exhibition, assess comments and look at options for how to resolve concerns.

"This will be used to further develop the proposals before another public exhibition showing the updated scheme later this year. Residents must RSVP to the workshop as places are strictly limited.

"A planning application for the site will be submitted later this year after Fairview’s consultation has concluded."

Source : Insight DIY Team

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.