Zac Goldsmiths' Response

Planning application 14/13247 ( Sept 2015 )
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Zac Goldsmith MP for Richmond Park & North Kingston has kindly shared his response with us.
It is reproduced here in full:

"Dear Councillor Hudson,

Cc: 

Cllr Hugh Scantlebury
Cllr Bill Brisbane
Cllr Mike Head
Cllr Malcolm Self
Cllr Jack Cheetham
Cllr Lorraine Rolfe
Cllr Geoff Austin
Cllr Paul Bedforth
Cllr Rebekah Moll
Cllr Gaj Wallooppillai
Viv Evans

I am writing with reference to The Old Post Office Site. Planning Application (14/13247/FUL)(14/13248/LBC)(14/13250/LBC)

I note that the new proposals have been amended, and that the height has been reduced by three storeys, which is a welcome change. The height is still, in my view, disproportionate but I appreciate that the Kingston College building next door is the same height.

However the new designs are no less inappropriate for the area and seem not to have taken into account the context in which the new buildings will be sited. I don’t think anyone can pretend the proposed design demonstrates any respect on the part of the developer for the rich heritage of Kingston town centre’s built environment.

There is a real opportunity to build something at this site that enhances rather than diminishes Kingston’s historic town centre, but the latest proposals do not come near to doing so. For that reason, I urge the Committee to reject the application and ask the developer to return with designs that the community will embrace.

In addition, it is surely not acceptable that just 5.6% of the homes will be affordable. Like elsewhere in London, Kingston struggles with a severe shortage of affordable homes, and a development of this size should contribute far more. I would urge the Local Authority to do all it can to secure a better deal for the community.

Yours sincerely,

Zac Goldsmith
MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston"