Councillor hints at a Plan B for Surbiton Filter Beds site

A councilor has hinted that there could be a Plan B for the Surbiton Filter Beds site, should Kingston Council turn down the current planning application.  Cllr Barry O'Mahoney advised: 'there is a growing belief among a segment of the community that this site and it's heritage is of sufficient importance in the history of the local area, the role it played in proving the water link to cholera etc. that it should be saved and turned into a public facility - A Water Study and Resource Centre.'

Cllr O'Mahoney spoke out against the current planning application at the Kingston Town Planning Sub Committee last Wednesday.  Both the Kingston and Surbiton Neighbourhood Committees have now given their views.  It will now be decided at the Development Control Committee on 23rd February in the Guildhall in central Kingston.

Despite raising the possibility of a Plan B for the site, Cllr O'Mahoney stressed that this is at an early stage and the site is still owned by the current applicant – who could well appeal a refusal.  He also noted that the main thrust at both Surbiton and Kingston Town Neighbourhood consultations was related to this application failing to demonstrate sufficient 'special circumstances' to overcome the protection the site has.

Barry O'Mahoney is a Lib Dem councillor for central Kingston, although he used to be a councilor in central Surbiton.  He has previously spoken of his frustration that after previous refusals nothing followed and that something needs to happen to make the site sustainable and open to the public.  It has been reported that at one time he wanted to replace the leisure marina with a smaller number of fixed houseboats, floating housing and an outdoor swimming pool. 

Do you want a Water Study and resource Centre on the site?  Is this forward thinking or pie in the sky?  Let us know your thoughts.