The Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee met on Monday 15 June 2026. The committee appointed Councillor Olly Wehring as Chair and Councillor Blaise Murphet as Vice-Chair for the municipal year. The meeting also discussed neighbourhood working arrangements, councillor ward funding, and a planning application for Appletree Court.

Neighbourhood Working Arrangements

The committee agreed not to establish a planning subcommittee and not to implement a guillotine to end meetings at a set time. This decision was made after considering that future planning applications coming before the committee were likely to decrease due to upcoming changes in planning legislation. Councillors also expressed confidence in the Chair's ability to manage meeting lengths effectively.

Councillor Ward Funding Arrangements

The committee unanimously agreed to retain the existing Councillor Ward Funding (CWF) scheme. This means that each councillor will continue to have an individual allocation of £2,000 to spend in their ward. Councillors expressed a preference for the flexibility and timeliness this individual allocation provides for supporting local initiatives and voluntary groups. Concerns were raised about ensuring scrutiny of how these funds are spent, with assurances given by Neighbourhood Manager Rachel Coulson regarding record-keeping and follow-up with funded groups.

Neighbourhood Manager Verbal Report

Rachel Coulson, Neighbourhood Manager, provided an update on the activities of the neighbourhood ranger team. The rangers completed 231 tasks between January and May 2026, focusing on maintaining public spaces and addressing environmental issues. The report highlighted the appointment of Danielle O'Shaughnessy as the new neighbourhood ranger for Kingston and North Kingston. The rangers' work included graffiti removal, which accounted for nearly a third of town centre interventions, and clearances of waste and fly-tipping. The report also noted that no community grant applications were presented for decision at this meeting, as the application window had not yet opened sufficiently.

Planning Application: Appletree Court, 9 Gallows Yard, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 7DW

The committee considered a planning application for the erection of a second-floor extension to create two additional self-contained dwellings at Appletree Court. The application was brought before the committee due to receiving more than five objections.

Decision: The application was approved, subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement restricting future occupants from obtaining on-street parking permits.

Discussion:

• Objections: Richard Ogonowski, speaking on behalf of objectors, raised concerns regarding the bulk and height of the proposed extension, potential rat infestation from refuse storage, loss of light to neighbouring properties, parking permit issues, and overlooking and privacy concerns. He also highlighted the site's previous use for short-term lets (Airbnb) and expressed concerns about its future use.
• Applicant's Response: Alfie Harness Gardner, the applicant's agent, addressed the previous reasons for refusal, stating that updated noise and daylight assessments had been conducted. He confirmed that a legal agreement to secure a car-free development for the new units was ready to be progressed. He also addressed concerns about privacy, refuse storage, and the quality of accommodation.
• Committee Discussion: Councillors debated the issues raised, with particular focus on the impact on residential amenity, parking, and the potential for the units to be used as short-term lets. The planning officer, James Maloney, clarified that while the use of existing units as short-term lets would be an enforcement matter, the proposed new units would be for C3 residential use, and any breach of the 90-day limit for short-term lets would be subject to enforcement action. The committee discussed the possibility of adding conditions and informatives to address concerns about screening, waste management, and the use of the property.
• Conditions and Informatives: The approved application included conditions related to noise insulation, water efficiency, fire safety, and the provision of screening for communal areas facing Carlisle Close. Informatives were added to encourage the applicant to apply similar screening to existing communal areas, to address concerns about short-term lets and parking, and to suggest a key code lock and automatic closing mechanism for the access gate onto Carlisle Close.

Planning Application: 49 Lower Kings Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 5JA

The committee considered a planning application for the change of use of an existing nursery to two four-bedroom residential units, along with extensions and alterations to the building. This application was also referred to the committee due to receiving five objections.

Decision: The application was approved, subject to conditions.

Discussion:

• Princ of Development: Officers noted that the site had previously been marketed for community uses, but due to constraints and a local oversupply of nurseries, no firm interest from D1 operators had been secured. The loss of social infrastructure floorspace was considered justified, and the provision of two four-bedroom family dwellings was seen as a positive contribution to the borough's housing targets.
• Standard of Accommodation: The revised proposal was found to meet the required Gross Internal Area (GIA) standards, bedroom sizes, and floor-to-ceiling heights. Dual aspect living was achieved, and concerns about outlook, light, and outdoor amenity space were addressed.
• Flood Risk: The revised Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) demonstrated that flood risk would be managed through flood resilience measures and a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS). The Council's Lead Local Flood Officer raised no concerns.
• Residential Amenity: The proposed extensions were considered acceptable in terms of scale, massing, and impact on neighbouring properties, with conditions to be applied for obscure glazing on flank windows and to prevent the use of flat roofs as amenity spaces.
• Highways: Previous concerns regarding parking permits and cycle storage had been addressed. A Unilateral Undertaking would prevent future occupants from obtaining on-street parking permits, and adequate cycle parking would be provided.
• Sustainability and Biodiversity: Conditions were to be applied to ensure water efficiency standards, and the proposal was considered exempt from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
• Fire Safety: The submitted fire safety statement was deemed acceptable.

The committee concluded that the proposal was acceptable, addressing previous reasons for refusal and contributing positively to housing supply, while mitigating potential impacts on amenity and highways.

Decision Progress Update

The committee noted the update on previously made decisions. This included information on the Albert Road Low Traffic Neighbourhood review, Kings Road Area Traffic Management measures, the Canbury Gardens Shared Use Cycle Path trial, and the Kingston to New Malden Cycle Route development.

The meeting concluded at 9:31 pm.