Kingston Council (RBK) announced a new consultation process as they seek to update borough's Local Plan.

The three-month consultation organised by RBK will last from now until July 31st.

The borough's existing Local Plan covers many aspects of administration that directly impact residents in Kingston, such as housing development, transport, education and business.

Announcing the new consultation process, RBK said that the existing Local Plan (2012) needed updating and urged residents to give their thoughts on what needs to be addressed in the coming weeks and months before the new plan is finalised.

Nazeya Hussain, Director of Growth at Kingston Council, said:

"We’re lucky enough to have a borough with a fantastic history and an exciting future. As our population grows, we need to make sure that we have the homes, transport links, parks, health and education services for Kingston to continue to thrive.

"As part of this we also need to champion our local economy and bring new jobs to the area.

"The Local Plan is our blueprint for how we're going to achieve this, while enhancing what we already have in our borough.

"This consultation is the first step in creating our plan for the future. I encourage everyone to have their say."

The three-month consultation process marks the first stage of public consultation, dubbed "Local Plan Early Engagement", under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The previous iteration of the Local Plan — known as Core Strategy — was published in April 2012 and designed to cover key administrative goals in the borough up to 2027.

RBK said the new Local Plan would be drafted to cover the period 2019-2041.

In particular, RBK's announcement referenced a shifting context around development in the borough in the macro sense — referencing changes to the "National Planning Policy Framework and the Mayor’s London Plan, which increased the borough’s housing target in 2016, and is currently being reviewed."

RBK said that 153 sites in Kingston currently under consideration for new development would be assessed as part of the new consultation process.

Under the Mayor's plan, RBK was handed increased targets for building new homes in the borough: 30,008 new homes in Kingston, as set out in the Mayor's Draft London Plan.

Once the consultation closes on July 31, the council said it would review feedback from residents and "carry out further work to develop the Local Plan, including carrying out specialist evidence studies and an Integrated Impact Assessment..."

The New Plan is expected to reference RBK's "Direction of Travel", which outlines how RBK will cooperate with the Mayor of London's authority in the future.

To take part in the first stage consultation the new Local Plan, go to www.kingston.gov.uk/newlocalplan or pick up a print copy at Kingston Library.

To view the existing Direction of Travel document, go to https://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200157/planning_strategies_and_policies/1353/new_local_plan/2