City Hall has approved a highly contentious housing scheme that will see three South London gasholders in Motspur Park demolished to make way for five apartment blocks that cross the Kingston and Merton boundary. The decision, confirmed on 21 July 2026 by the Deputy Mayor for Planning, follows more than 1,000 objections from residents and local representatives.
What was approved
The proposals, brought forward by gas network operator SGN and developer Berkeley Homes, will deliver a total of 586 homes, of which 175 are described as affordable. Building heights in the plans range from eight to a maximum of 16 storeys.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total homes | 586 |
| Affordable homes | 175 |
| Height (storeys) | 8–16 |
Objections and the Metropolitan Open Land question
The scheme attracted strong opposition from local residents and councillors, chiefly because the gasholders sit on land designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). MOL designation is intended to protect green and open spaces from inappropriate development, and opponents argued the scale and massing of the blocks would damage the openness and character of the area.
- More than 1,000 formal objections submitted.
- Kingston Council rejected the application in March 2026, citing harm to the openness of the MOL and concerns about height and scale.
- The site crosses both Kingston and Merton borough boundaries, making it of direct relevance to local residents in both boroughs.
Mr Pipe concluded the scheme "would not result in substantial harm to the openness of the MOL".
Why City Hall made the decision
The Greater London Authority took the application from Kingston after the council refused it. London Mayor Sadiq Khan 'called in' the proposal on the basis that it could make a "significant and positive contribution" towards the capital's housing targets. A letter accompanying the decision noted Kingston had been building significantly below target in the 2020–2025 period and could not demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, a material consideration in the planning balance.
The Deputy Mayor for Planning emphasised the need to tackle London's housing shortage by approving "well-designed developments with affordable housing" as part of that justification.
Local impact and next steps
For residents in Merton and neighbouring Kingston, the decision effectively paves the way for a major redevelopment of a locally familiar site. Immediate consequences include the prospect of demolition of the three gasholders and the start of detailed design and delivery by the developer. The approval is likely to prompt continued local debate about protecting open land and the trade-offs between housing delivery and preserving local character.
Opponents may explore remaining routes to challenge the planning decision, while the developer and SGN will move towards implementing the consent. Councils and community groups will now need to focus on the design, delivery of the affordable homes promised, and mitigation measures for the local area.
