CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
What is Kingston famous for? The Coronation Stone perhaps and the crowning of seven Saxon kings? Apart from a few of an historical turn of mind, not really. The starting point of the famous heroes of Jerome K. Jerome’s “Three Men in a Boat”? That was a long time ago and the river, alas, is less central to London’s idea of itself these days. Somewhere to shop? That is more like it. Yet there is a select group of people to whom Kingston means something entirely different.
I have met recently a number of electrical engineers to whom Kingston means the power-station and now the power-station site. This site is adjacent to vast new developments like the Royal Quarter, it is near the town centre, next to Canbury Gardens by the riverside. The railway station is nearby, industry has closed down. A wonderful location and the site lies empty and half-derelict. The reason, of course lies in the problem of the remaining sub-station, unlovely to look at and even more unpleasant to listen to because of the constant hum from the transformers.
Members of the society have already been briefed on the most recent proposals: encapsulation of the sub-station in hugely expensive and high-tech concrete and steel, a four-star hotel, and, successively, monstrous blocks of flats up to 15 storeys high or a lower eight storey high courtyard development containing the same number of residential units. The Society opposed the high development and was prepared to view the proposal by the new architects more favourably. Their appointment seemed to indicate that the developers had accepted the Council’s refusal of permission for the 15 storey scheme. Not a bit of it. An appeal has now been lodged against the refusal, an enquiry is being set up and invitations to submit evidence issued.
What do our members and the council tax payers make of this? Let us know by e-mailing
…….. We shall keep you informed of developments anyway.
Jennifer Butterworth
Chairman