A long-running saga involving a former World War II interrogation centre has seemingly come to an end.

The Planning Inspectorate has given permission for Latchmere House, a former prison in Church Road on the border of Kingston and Richmond, to be converted into 73 new homes.

The decision follows a protracted battle between developers Berkeley Homes and Richmond Council, after Kingston councillors approved both of the company’s two schemes on offer.

Richmond refused Berkeley’s first scheme citing a lack of affordable housing and then delayed a response to the second scheme, prompting the developer to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

A decision was taken to grant Berkeley’s first scheme – the smaller of the two – on July 3 following a two-day planning inquiry heard in May.

The inspectorate also refused a much-opposed new access road off Latchmere Lane.

Andree Frieze, of Latchmere Lane, said: “This has dragged on for four years so it will be nice to see something happen, but we will have to deal with the noise and disruption now.

“The access road was the main thing for me because Latchmere Lane cannot take any more traffic. I’m hopeful they can just get on with building much-needed houses for people now.”

A total of 66 new builds onsite and seven apartments within the converted and extended Latchmere House are now approved.

Richmond will have 42 homes and Kingston 31. A total of 12 affordable houses will be shared between the boroughs.

Kingston Councillor David Cunningham said: “It is a suitable scheme for the area.

“Latchmere House is not a listed building so they could have got rid of it so I’m pleased they are keeping it because of its history.”

Tom Pocock, managing director at Berkley Homes, said: “Berkeley are delighted that the Inspector has granted planning permission for 73 new homes at Latchmere House after the application had been refused by Richmond Council.

“We look forward to working with both Richmond and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames to move the project forward and deliver the much needed new homes.”