The Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee met on Tuesday 9 June 2026, appointing Councillor Tom Reeve as Chair and Councillor Ian Manders as Vice-Chair. The committee also decided to maintain current working arrangements for Councillor Ward Funding and neighbourhood working for the upcoming municipal year.

Neighbourhood Working Arrangements

The committee resolved not to establish a Planning Sub-Committee, meaning that meetings will continue to address both neighbourhood business and planning applications. Additionally, a 'guillotine'¹ will not be applied to meetings, allowing for discussions to continue beyond a set time if necessary. These arrangements will be in place until May 2030.

Double Yellow Lines on Villiers Avenue

Objections to a Traffic Management Order (TMO) proposing the conversion of single yellow lines to double yellow lines near numbers 36-38 Villiers Avenue were considered. The committee decided to uphold these objections. A review of the situation will be conducted by officers after 12 months, with a report to be brought back to the committee for any new TMO proposals.

Councillor Ward Funding Arrangements

The committee agreed to maintain its current working arrangements for the allocation of Councillor Ward Funding for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. This means that Councillor Ward Funding will continue to be allocated by individual councillors, rather than being pooled for larger projects or Neighbourhood Community Grants.

Planning Application: Perak Court, Elmbridge Avenue

The committee considered a full planning application for the erection of a fourth-floor extension at Perak Court, Elmbridge Avenue, Surbiton, KT5 9EU. The proposal sought to create four new residential flats, install solar panels, a low-pit lift, and associated landscaping and parking.

The application was referred to the committee due to more than five objections being received. The main concerns raised by objectors included severe parking issues, loss of light and sunlight, noise and disruption during construction, reduction in green space, and potential devaluation of property.

Officers recommended approving the application subject to conditions. The report highlighted that the council currently has a significant deficit in its five-year housing land supply, engaging the presumption in favour of sustainable development. The proposal was considered to make effective use of land by utilising airspace above the existing building and was deemed to be well-designed, with improvements to the building's aesthetic appearance and the creation of more accessible communal amenity space. The development would also provide five formalised car parking spaces and secure cycle storage.

The committee resolved to approve the application, delegating authority to the Director of Planning and Regeneration to finalise the recommended conditions.