Kingston Council (RBK) plan to set up a new trading company that will allow them to "build and manage" a development of new homes in the borough.

Announcing the plans on Tuesday (February 18), a spokesperson for RBK said that a council-run trading company would go ahead subject to approval at a Full Council meeting in April.

The company will allow RBK to focus on plans for a new group of 79 homes currently being scoped out for the Hampden Road in Kingston — a development given the green light at the Finance and Partnerships Committee last Thursday (February 13).

"The council will partner with Legal and General (L&G) Plc to develop the site and construct the new homes.

"Once complete in Autumn 2021, it will provide a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bed units, a Police office, a residents work hub, 47 car parking spaces, 184 private cycle parking, 6 public cycle spaces as well as communal spaces including play areas," a spokesperson for RBK said.

According to the associated planning documents available on the council website, 16 of the proposed new homes (20.25 per cent) will be "affordable" housing.

RBK Council Leader Liz Green described the plans to create a new trading company for the council to take over control of the development as "a great decision for Kingston" and touted some of the potential benefits RBK have identified:

• "As a landlord, the council can ensure that the tenants of both affordable homes and now market rent ones, are treated fairly and given a better service than they might find elsewhere in the private market.

• "Over the 40 year lease period, the council will receive an income that will be used to help protect services for all residents, especially our most vulnerable.

• "After 40 years, the homes will revert to the council’s freehold ownership, adding much needed homes to our housing stock.

• "It will ensure that the community facilities - a Police office and workspace hub - are developed for the benefit of residents," Cllr Green said.

The development "will not only help meet our housing targets set out in the London Plan but also allow us to build the vital homes and facilities our community needs," she added.