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An artist's impression of how the new development will look.

Plans to demolish Surbiton sorting office and build a block of 65 flats have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Construction work is expected to begin early next year on the St Mary's Road scheme, which will also include shops and a mews street.

Residents expressed concerns about the height of the six-storey block, but last Thursday's development control committee decided it was an improvement on previous plans for the site.

Developer CNM reduced the height of the Terence Conran-designed building from an original nine storeys after consulting residents.

It also made cosmetic changes to the outside of the building and included more refuse and recycling facilities after the committee deferred the plans in March.

CNM's agent Brian Gale said it was refreshing that councillors who had previously opposed the scheme recognised the new design would make a positive contribution.

He said: "This is something that will lift the surroundings and maybe encourage people who own dilapidated shops in Victoria Road to do something about them."

The old post office building in Victoria Road, which is adjacent to the sorting office, will not be demolished but will become part of the scheme. Mr Gale said he hoped a major high street retailer would move into the ground floor.

Kingston Society member Ken Peay said it would create a precedent for developers to build more six-storey buildings in the area.

He said: "It is a much better scheme than it was, but I still regret we've gone up to six floors."

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey said councillors may have given permission because they feared losing an appeal if they turned it down.

10:14am Thursday 20th May 2004

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