The former headquarters of Surrey County Council has been sold to luxury property developers, with permission granted for 292 new homes to be built on the site.

London Square has bought the former County Hall in Kingston from RER London for an undisclosed price, following its listing earlier in the year.

The 5.2 acre site includes the main Grade II listed county hall and a range of other buildings and courtyard areas.

Adam Lawrence, managing director of London Square, said: “Once restored and transformed into elegant homes, County Hall Kingston will become a unique offering for those looking to make this sought-after royal neighborhood their home. »

Construction signs surrounding the property indicate that future residents can expect to move in starting in 2027.

Planning permission is already in place for 256 private apartments, as well as 36 affordable homes and 47,447 square feet (4,408 m²) of commercial space.

The renovation, restoration and extension will “transform” the historic site into a “high-end development”, London Square said.

The council was criticized in March over the sale of the site to RER London for £25 million in 2021.

According to the Local democracy information servicethe site could be worth up to £250 million once redeveloped.

At a council meeting in March, Natalie Bramhall, cabinet member for property, waste and infrastructure, said: “I actually think we got a good deal and will sell again at this price.”

She told the meeting that the costs of applying for planning permission would have exceeded £1million and to reach the full £250million they would also have had to spend “hundreds of millions” on the site.

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