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

London Square has purchased Kingston’s former County Hall from RER London for an undisclosed price. after it was included earlier in the year.

The 5.2 acre site includes the Grade II listed main Town Hall and a variety of other buildings and courtyard areas.

Adam Lawrence, chief executive of London Square, said: “Once restored and converted into elegant homes, County Hall Kingston will become a unique offering for those looking to make this sought-after royal borough their home.”

Building boards surrounding the property say future residents can expect to move in as early as 2027.

There is already planning permission for 256 private flats, as well as 36 affordable housing and 47,447 sq ft (4,408 sq m) of commercial space.

The refurbishment, restoration and extension will “transform” the historic site into a “premium development”, London Square said.

The council came under fire in March over the sale of the site to RER London for £25 million in 2021.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Servicethe site could be worth up to £250m when 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 we would sell again at that price.”

She told the meeting that the costs of the planning application would have exceeded £1m and that to get to the full £250m they would also have needed to spend “hundreds of millions” on the site.

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