Kingston upon Thames councillors have received an update on the Seething Wells Filter Beds project, including the status of listing applications and dialogue with landowners.

The Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee met on Tuesday to discuss the Seething Wells Filter Beds project, following up on a resolution from the Place Committee on 21 September 2023. Tim Naylor, Director of Planning and Regeneration, presented the update, noting that it was the third annual report to the committee. The report covered recommendations made by the All-Councillor Working Group on Seething Wells.

In March 2025, the council submitted listing applications to Historic England (HE) for:

  • Seething Wells Filter Beds
  • Former Chelsea Waterworks Drainage Pumping House
  • Former Chelsea Waterworks Boundary Railings
  • 85 Portsmouth Road

As of the meeting on September 9, 2025, Historic England had not yet determined the applications for the Seething Wells Filter Beds, the Drainage Pumping House, and the Boundary Railings. Tim Naylor stated that he expected a decision in approximately six months.

Historic England determined that 85 Portsmouth Road did not meet the criteria for designation resources and was unable to take the application further. According to Historic England, the current circumstances of 85 Portsmouth Road did not fall into any of the three categories used by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to prioritise designation resources: threat, strategic priority, and significance.

Dialogue with the landowners is ongoing, but development of the site remains on their agenda. The s215 notice directed works for the repainting of the walls and railings at the Seething Wells site, which have now been completed.

Councillor Liz Green, queried the listing applications, noting that 85 Portsmouth Road is the Chelsea coal store, located on the Seething Wells halls of residence side of the road, and recently restored by the university. She suggested that the lack of a current threat to the building may be the reason for the application's rejection. Councillor Green also expressed disappointment that the landowners are unwilling to engage in dialogue with the council, stating, It's disappointing that they don't wish to speak to us because you don't know what you might agree on it unless you try.

Councillor Anita Schaper echoed Councillor Green's disappointment, highlighting the developers' apparent lack of interest in biodiversity. Councillor Jackie Davies expressed frustration that the pump house is not being tidied up, as it is the first building seen when entering Kingston. Councillor Yogan Yoganathan requested that councillors be kept informed of any meetings with the owners.

Councillor Tom Reeve, Chair of the Neighbourhood, reiterated his offer to meet with the site owners.