Controversial plans to build a huge university accommodation block on Kingston Road in New Malden have been denounced by councillors and residents this week.

This was the second time plans for the 310 units of student accommodation at 171 to 173 Kingston Road have come before the Malden and Coombe planning sub-committee after the project was previously rejected for being too close to residents of Crown House.

The new proposal sees the block reduced in size and moved further back from other properties on the road, but councillors and residents insisted the changes might not be enough.

Samantha Banton, who lives in Crown House, expressed her concerns over the extra traffic and pollution residents would have to deal with if students moved in.

She said: “The bus routes in this area are already extremely congested and there is very little need for student housing.

“With close to 6,500 people currently on the social housing waiting list in Kingston, isn’t it our priority to house our own borough residents who are currently living in temporary accommodation.”

Council leader Councillor Kevin Davis also criticised Kingston University for not being more involved with the project.

He said: “It is extremely frustrating that the university will not interact with any developers about their accommodation.”

The plans have gone to the development control committee to be discussed on December 16.