A new neighbourhood with 586 homes could be built on a former gasworks in south London.
The gasholders in Motspur Park have dominated the area’s skyline since the 1920s, but plans to develop the site with five apartment blocks are now being formally considered.
Developer Berkley Homes has submitted plans to demolish all three gasholders and build five apartment blocks between eight and 16 storeys tall on the site.
It has been working on the proposed regeneration since 2017 with gas supplier SGN, which owns the site, and has now submitted a formal application to Kingston and Merton councils to carry out the works.
The three gasholders were built in 1924, 1932 and 1954 and were used to store gas for distribution until they were replaced by modern methods of gas storage. They have stood redundant since 2007 and were decommissioned by Ofgem in 2012.
Out of the 586 homes proposed for the site, 174 would be affordable. The development would have a public square, new pedestrian and cycle routes, 89 car parking spaces for residents, 1,035 long-stay cycle parking spaces and 28 short-stay cycle parking spaces.
The site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), which means it should be protected from ‘inappropriate development’. Planning documents argued the site is previously developed land as it was a gasworks and that while the scheme would result in a “marked change” to the openness of the MOL, this would not be substantial.
The documents said the scheme would open the site to the public for the first time in 100 years and create a new pedestrian and cycle route between Motspur Park and Worcester Park.
They added: “The vision for the site is to provide a new urban neighbourhood, set within a regenerative, natural landscape. The site presents a unique opportunity for a nature-led redevelopment combining the benefits of contemporary apartment living nestled within a green and natural setting.”
Identical planning applications have been submitted to Kingston and Merton councils as the site spans both boroughs, although most of it sits in Kingston. The councils will each make a decision on the application in due course.
