Residents in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames are set to witness significant strides in several major regeneration projects throughout 2026. The coming year promises tangible progress on long-delayed schemes focused on boosting affordable housing and enhancing leisure facilities for the local community.
Leisure and Entertainment Upgrades
The much-anticipated replacement for the Kingfisher Leisure Centre in the town centre is expected to near completion by the end of 2026. The original centre was closed in 2019 due to prohibitive repair costs exceeding £5 million. After significant delays, including a redesign when initial contractor quotes soared to £79.5 million against a £44.5 million budget, construction finally began in June 2025.
The new state-of-the-art facility will feature an eight-lane main pool with spectator seating, a teaching pool, a four-court sports hall, squash courts, a comprehensive gym, and a health suite with a sauna and steam room. It is scheduled to open to the public in spring 2027.
Meanwhile, Chessington World of Adventures will unveil a brand new PAW Patrol-themed land this spring, following council approval. The attraction will include four new rides, character meet-and-greets, and dedicated retail and dining spaces. This forms part of owner Merlin Entertainments' wider plans to expand the resort, which also include a proposed new themed land for 2027 and a potential large-scale waterpark, the latter still awaiting a planning decision.
Public Realm and Housing Regeneration
In Kingston town centre, the historic Memorial Gardens will undergo a sensitive transformation, with works due for completion this spring. The project will introduce new walking routes, additional seating, play equipment for children, and enhanced planting to better protect the site's Grade II* listed war memorial and historic gravestones. Council documents describe this as the first in a series of public realm projects aimed at revitalising the town centre and riverside.
One of the borough's most substantial housing projects, the regeneration of the Cambridge Road Estate in Norbiton, will continue apace. A detailed planning application for the scheme's second phase, proposing 383 new homes (including 94 council homes), is currently under consideration. The full redevelopment will eventually replace 832 existing homes with 2,170 new ones, delivering a net gain of 218 council homes upon completion.
Tackling Homelessness and Housing Demand
In a direct move to address housing need, Kingston Council will press ahead in 2026 with a plan to borrow £63 million to purchase 150 homes. These properties will be allocated to families currently in temporary accommodation, with the aim of beginning tenancies in the spring. The initiative, which may involve buying back former Right to Buy properties, is designed to reduce the council's reliance on expensive emergency accommodation like hotels and provide stable, long-term housing for those on the waiting list.
Together, these projects represent a concerted effort by the local authority and its partners to reshape Kingston's landscape, addressing critical needs in housing, community infrastructure, and leisure for years to come.
