In a letter dated 4 January, developers have informed councillors and residents that the owners of the former Emma Hamilton pub site have submitted a planning application to Merton Council.

They outline the changes made to their initial proposals (a review of which can be seen here) as follows:

Proposals for 328 Kingston Road (The site of the former Emma Hamilton Public House)

I am writing to update you on the proposals for this site. It is proposed to demolish the existing public house and redevelop the site for a high quality mixed use development to provide 57 residential units in a mix of studio, one, two and three bedroom units. 25% of the units will be affordable units for shared ownership. The ground floor will provide flexible commercial floorspace, designed so that it can be easily adapted for use by a single occupier or a number of occupiers.

A design-led approach has been taken to create a unique and iconic development to regenerate this site with a contemporary design to reinforce Wimbledon Chase as a destination and a place to live. The proposed building will provide an active commercial frontage, above which will rise three storeys of residential use and a setback penthouse floor. Two wings of development extend back above an undercroft car park and step back on each floor, reducing the massing to the rear.

Following the public exhibition last year, the following changes have been made to the proposals for this site in response to the comments made by residents;

• Parking – an increase in parking spaces from 46 to 58 (including 7 bays for disabled drivers). This complies with Merton’s parking standard for residential and commercial uses. To increase security an electronic barrier has also been introduced to separate the commercial car park and the residential car park. We have also increased the number of cycle parking spaces.
• Retail space – the amount of ground floor retail space has been reduced by approximately 3,000 sq ft. This has enabled the number of parking spaces to be increased. We have increased the height of the ground floor shop front increased to allow space for designed-in shop signs.
• Rear boundary – a wider border of planting of mature vegetation has been included along the rear boundary in order to strengthen the boundary treatment.
• Height and massing – the fourth floor has been set back along the full length of the building onto the Kingston Road enabling all of the fourth floor flats to have a private terrace, thereby increasing amenity space. In addition, the western edge of the fourth floor, adjacent to 330 Kingston Road, has been set back in order to match the eastern edge of the building.
• Rear elevation – the planters on the rear terraces have been moved to the edge of the terraces in order to prevent overlooking into the rear gardens of Mawson Close and to increase the greenery along the rear of the building.
• Trees and pavement along Kingston Road – the existing two trees will be replaced by six new trees along the Kingston Road pavement to create a ‘boulevard’ effect. The ground floor shop front has been realigned to better relate to the building to the west along Kingston Road.
• Housing mix – 14 of the 57 units (25 per cent) will be affordable. All the affordable units will be shared ownership in line with the advice we have had from Registered Social Landlords. We have increased the number of double aspect apartments and it is now over 50%.
• Pedestrian Link – a brick wall will be constructed along the walkway to maintain safety and security.