Kingston's largest regeneration project was approved after a 2020 ballot in which 73% of residents voted in favour. The scheme promises 2,170 new homes including 871 at council rent. Construction on Phase 1 began in 2022, with the first 42 homes targeted for completion by end of 2024. The project has faced cost pressures and delays.
Affects: All 77,000 householdsThe Cambridge Road Estate in Norbiton is Kingston's largest council estate, home to approximately 1,000 households. In a ballot held from 24 February to 18 March 2020, residents voted 73% in favour (on 86% turnout) to proceed with full demolition and rebuild. The scheme, delivered in partnership with Countryside Partnerships, will provide 2,170 new homes across five phases.
The regeneration will deliver 871 new council homes across all phases — 218 more than currently exist on the estate. In Phase 1 alone, 254 council homes are planned after an additional 104 were secured through GLA funding announced in October 2023. This is separate from Kingston's 101-home small sites programme (covering York Way, Cumberland House, and Roupell House), which is a different initiative.
Construction on Phase 1 began in 2022. The council targeted delivery of the first 42 rented homes by the end of 2024. As of early 2026, the project has experienced delays linked to construction cost inflation, supply chain pressures, and the need to re-tender elements of the contract. The council states it remains committed to the programme.
The construction cost was reported as £485 million by Construction Enquirer when planning approval was granted. The council's own contribution is approximately £200 million, with an additional £60 million from the Mayor of London. Pre-development costs including planning work have been documented at approximately £11.2 million. Leaseholder buyback costs are a separate budget line, reported at approximately £80 million.
Kingston's housing register contains approximately 3,700 households waiting for social housing, according to the council's own statements. The borough has some of the highest private rents in outer London — ONS data puts the average Kingston rent at £1,728 per month as of January 2025, rising to £1,821 by January 2026. The median Kingston salary is approximately £37,880 (ONS).
We are tracking quarterly progress reports to committee, monitoring whether Phase 1 delivery meets revised timelines, and comparing delivery with similar London regeneration schemes. At Richmond's Ham Close estate, the first residential block topped out in November 2025 with affordable homes expected for completion in summer 2026.
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