Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis has hit back at a campaign group protesting development in New Malden, accusing organisers of “playing childish games”.

More than 200 residents gathered with the Malden Independent Community Organisation (MICO) in Blagdon Park on Saturday to protest the Cocks Crescent SPD – the council’s blueprint for future developments on the site.

The document states that 520 homes could be built in Cocks Crescent, with about 700 residents having supported a petition amid fears over the scale of any development.

But before the protest, councillor Davis accused organisers of trying to “misinform and scare” people in a lengthy facebook post.

He said: “It's not community engagement, it's a silly campaign based on fear - a bit like last year’s EU referendum.

“If this campaign was really about community engagement then you should be doing what other residents groups are doing, which is engaging positively with the opportunity and helping the council shape what comes forward instead of playing childish games and pretending that everyone who tries to do things to improve the town has ulterior motives.

“The development of this area will be the best thing that has happened to New Malden since I was born there and it is long overdue. Sensible people know that and want to see it happen.”

According to the London Plan’s density matrix, any housing development on Cocks Crescent would be expected to deliver between 140 and 520 new homes.

Fears have been raised that the swimming pool at the Malden Centre, one of only two in the borough, will not be replaced if redevelopment takes place.

Campaigners have successfully pushed for the decision to approve the document to be reviewed at a full council meeting later this month through their petition.

James Giles, chair of MICO, said: "This level of opposition cannot go unnoticed by councillors.

“We had a fantastic turnout on Saturday to oppose development on a scale never before seen in our town, which would change its character forever.

“MICO is not a 'bunch of NIMBYs', and realise there is a housing crisis in London - however, development must be sustainable, with regard taken to its impact on infrastructure.”

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