Fewer than 100 of the 705 new homes Tesco proposes to build in Tolworth will be earmarked for affordable rent or shared ownership.

That works out at about 13 per cent – well short of Kingston Council’s target of 50 per cent for large developments.

Of those homes, the tenure split will be roughly two-thirds affordable rent to one-third shared ownership.

Documents submitted by Spenhill, Tesco’s development arm, said it was “not financially viable for the scheme to provide the council’s full 50 per cent affordable housing target”.

Last week Green Party election candidate Clare Keogh raised concerns over the amount of affordable homes in Kingston.

Kingston Council’s lead member for housing, Councillor Ian George, agreed, and said: “We’re making every effort to get everything we can.

“We do go out of our way to independently check all the figures. We do realise it’s a big problem. We need housing of all sorts to be built.”

Kingston Council’s viability assessors are yet to confirm the final figures.

Spenhill believes other aspects of its offer, including the extension of the 281 bus route, will help mitigate the percentage gap.

A Spenhill spokesman said: “Our proposal will deliver a range of significant benefits for Tolworth, and following consultation with Kingston Council and the community we have developed a scheme that fits with local priorities.

“That’s why our plans include a financial contribution to extend Knollmead Primary School which will double the size of the school, a doctors’ surgery on site and improvements to local bus services, as well as more than 90 affordable homes.”

Liberal Democrat Tolworth and Hook Rise councillor Lorraine Rolfe said: “I still don’t think it’s a big enough trade-off.

“I think it’s a shame as they’re only offering smaller sized units rather than family housing. That’s what’s needed in the area. 13 per cent is really disappointing.”

The breakdown

  • Of 269 one-bedroom units, 34 affordable
  • Of 295 two-bedroom units, 45 affordable
  • Of 139 three-bedroom units, 12 affordable
  • Of two four-bedroom units, two affordable
  • TOTAL: 705 homes, of which 93 affordable