Major revamps of huge housing estates, a decision on the future of specialist children's cancer services and the reopening of a popular lido are among big changes coming to South West London in 2024.

Decisions and updates on other major plans for the Wandsworth, Richmond and Kingston boroughs are also expected this year.

We have put together a list providing a brief overview of developments to look out for in the boroughs as we enter the New Year.

These include the construction of schemes that have already been approved, along with long-awaited decisions on major proposals.

Further details on planning applications can be found on each council's website. Members of the public can comment on applications that are still open for consultation online.

Richmond

Decision on Stag Brewery redevelopment

Richmond Council could make a final decision on the redevelopment of the former Stag Brewery site in Mortlake this year.

The scheme would see the creation of a new neighbourhood with 1,075 homes in tower blocks up to nine storeys tall, restaurants, offices, a cinema, space for a hotel or pub and a 1,200-pupil secondary school.

The authority approved two planning applications making up the scheme last year, but it was delayed so developer Reselton Properties Limited could make changes in response to proposed new fire safety rules.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove announced on July 24 that all new residential buildings taller than 18 metres will need a second staircase.

Reselton Properties has since submitted revisions to one of the applications to comply with the proposed rules.

The second approved application is for the 1,200-place secondary school and remains unchanged.

The council is consulting on the revised application, which will be referred to the planning committee for a final decision in due course.

Redevelopment of Ham Close Estate

Ham Close Estate in Ham is undergoing a major revamp which will see all 192 homes on the site knocked down and replaced with 452 new homes, including 221 affordable homes.

Two existing community facilities on the 1960s estate will also be rebuilt. Building works are set to last until 2031.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan green-lit Richmond Council's earlier decision to approve the scheme last year.

It is being led by Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) and developer Hill.

Wandsworth

Tooting Bec Lido reopening

Tooting Bec Lido will reopen to the public in April after a near-£4million revamp was hit by delays.

The major repairs were carried out by Wandsworth Council to prevent future unplanned closure of the lido and make sure it functions efficiently for the next 50 years.

The venue shut in November 2022 and it was originally set to remain closed for around nine months for the works, but the council later revealed it would reopen later than planned due to "unavoidable delays" caused by issues encountered during the repairs – including the "discovery of unknown buried asbestos".

The lido reopened to South London Swimming Club (SLSC) on December 18, 2023, which follows normal practice as it is usually only open to the club during winter. SLSC's website said it will be open to the public from April 1 to September 30, 2024.

Future location of specialist children's cancer services

NHS England is expected to make a decision on the future location of very specialist cancer services for children living in South London and much of the South East in spring.

It is proposing to move the children's cancer centre currently based at St George's Hospital in Tooting and The Royal Marsden in Sutton to one location – either moving the entire site to St George's or transferring it all to Evelina London Children's Hospital in Lambeth.

It comes after a new national service specification in 2021 outlined very specialist children's cancer treatment services must be on the same site as a paediatric intensive care unit and other specialist children's services.

The Royal Marsden does not have a paediatric intensive care unit, meaning a small number of children with cancer requiring intensive care are transferred safely by ambulance to St George's every year.

The NHS ran a consultation on the proposals from September to December last year.

It will consider the feedback and additional evidence put forward during the consultation before making a decision, which is currently set to be taken in spring.

Services are not expected to move until at least 2026.

Kingston

Updates on replacement of Kingfisher Leisure Centre

Further updates on the controversial replacement of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre in Kingston are expected this year, after the project was hit by major delays.

Angry residents hit out at Kingston Council after it revealed last year it did not have enough cash in its current budget to build the replacement it had originally planned, which would have cost almost £80m.

The leisure centre shut in 2019 and it was demolished in late 2022, after it was decided repairs to fix the roof would cost more than £5m.

The council previously said the replacement would be built by late 2024 but it scrapped these plans after carrying out a tendering process to appoint a contractor for the project, which returned a figure of £79.5m.

The council has now appointed developer Alliance Leisure to oversee the revised project, working with architects Roberts Limbrick.

The authority said it will hold public sessions in the New Year to provide updates ahead of engagement on the revised designs in spring, with building works currently set to begin in 2025.

Redevelopment of Cambridge Road Estate

The major redevelopment of the Cambridge Road Estate in Norbiton is continuing after building works began in May last year.

Kingston Council approved the scheme in December 2021, which will see the 1960s and 1970s estate demolished and rebuilt with 2,170 new homes.

The original estate had 832 homes.

The scheme includes 941 affordable homes, including 767 council homes, a new community centre and outdoor spaces.

It is being carried out in five phases by the council and developer Countryside Partnerships.

Decision on plans for new waterpark at Chessington World of Adventures

Kingston Council could make a decision on plans to build a new waterpark at Chessington World of Adventures this year.

The safari hotel at Chessington would be expanded to create the waterpark under the plans from owner Merlin Entertainments.

The waterpark would include wave, infinity and spa pools, lazy and rapid rivers, themed water slides, a splash pad, an aqua play area, a safari 'beach', cabanas, a snack bar and a café.

It would have views onto the Wanyama Reserve, which has animals including zebras and giraffes.

The council is consulting on the application, which will be referred to the planning committee for a final decision in due course.