The Planning Committee of Sutton Council met on Wednesday 05 August 2026 to discuss several planning applications. Key decisions included the refusal of a proposal for a first-floor extension to garages at Sandringham Court and Buckingham Court in Belmont due to concerns over overdevelopment, impact on residential amenity, and parking. The committee also refused an application for a change of use from a small HMO to a large HMO at 48 Hallmead Road, citing concerns about parking pressure and residential amenity. However, planning permission was granted for a change of use at 21 Morton Gardens to a short-term residential mental health crisis stabilisation institution, and for the installation of new BT Street Hub communication kiosks in Sutton Town Centre and Wallington District Centre.

Garages To The Rear Of Sandringham Court And Buckingham Court, Dorset Road, Belmont

The committee refused planning permission for the erection of a first-floor extension above existing garages to provide six two-bedroom residential units. Councillor Chandra Alapati raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed building to existing apartments, noting that the distance was less than the minimum requirement. Councillor Trish Fivey questioned the adequacy of parking, and Councillor Sunil Kumar highlighted the potential for six new families to generate significant car usage, exceeding the proposed five additional spaces. Councillor Jake Short also raised concerns about noise from the garages affecting the properties above. Councillor Alapati questioned the rationale for deviating from the policy of providing three-bedroom properties, and Councillor Alapati also queried the accuracy of the number of existing flats used in the daylight and sunlight assessment. Councillor Long expressed concerns about the impact on trees, particularly those with Tree Preservation Orders. Following debate, the committee voted seven to three to refuse the application, citing unsustainable intensification of traffic and parking, unacceptable impact on residential amenity, and overdevelopment outside an area of intensification.

48 Hallmead Road, Sutton

The committee refused planning permission for the change of use from a small HMO (Class C4) to a large HMO (Class Sui Generis) to provide 10 rooms. Councillor Jake Short expressed concerns about the parking survey and the enforceability of tenancy conditions regarding car ownership. Councillor Long questioned the adequacy of communal areas for ten rooms and the impact on neighbouring properties. Councillor Alapati also raised concerns about the intensification of use and the impact on residential amenity. The committee voted unanimously to refuse the application on the grounds of inadequate mitigation of parking pressure and unacceptable impact on residential amenity due to noise and disturbance from intensification.

21 Morton Gardens, Wallington

The committee granted planning permission for the change of use of a two-storey semi-detached property from a four-bedroom dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a short-term residential mental health crisis stabilisation institution (Use Class C2(b)). Councillor Chandra Alapati, Councillor James Appleby, Councillor Rukhsar Askari, Councillor Sue Ebanks, Councillor Sunil Kumar, Councillor Cumar Sahathevan, Councillor Naveen Samrat, Councillor Alison Long and Councillor Trish Fivey voted in favour of granting permission, with Councillor Sunil Kumar and Councillor Alison Long voting against. The committee noted the concerns raised by residents regarding noise, parking, and the loss of family housing, but ultimately decided that the proposal met a documented local health need and would integrate into the residential setting.

15 Surrey Grove, Sutton

The committee granted planning permission for the erection of a single-storey rear extension and alterations to ground floor front and first floor flank fenestrations. Councillor Jayne McCoy, Councillor Richard Clifton, Councillor Chandra Alapati, Councillor James Appleby, Councillor Rukhsar Askari, Councillor Sue Ebanks, Councillor Cumar Sahathevan, Councillor Naveen Samrat and Councillor Trish Fivey voted in favour, while Councillor Sunil Kumar and Councillor Alison Long voted against. The committee acknowledged the objections raised by residents regarding the size and massing of the extension, potential loss of light, and impact on the street scene. However, they concluded that the extension was modest in scale, in keeping with the character of the area, and would not result in significant harm to residential amenity or highway safety.

Land Opposite 284-286 High Street, Sutton

The committee granted planning permission for the installation of an internally illuminated digital display and communications kiosk with a defibrillator. Councillor Alapati, Councillor Appleby, Councillor Askari, Councillor Fivey, Councillor Kumar, Councillor Sahathevan, Councillor Samrat and Councillor Shaw voted in favour, with Councillor Long voting against. The committee noted the objections raised regarding the design, visual impact, and potential health concerns, but concluded that the proposal would respect the local context, would not result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area, and would not adversely impact highway safety.

Land Outside 142 Stafford Road, Wallington

The committee granted planning permission for the installation of a BT Street Hub unit with two advertisement screens. Councillor Alapati, Councillor Appleby, Councillor Askari, Councillor Fivey, Councillor Kumar, Councillor Sahathevan, Councillor Samrat and Councillor Shaw voted in favour, with Councillor Long voting against. The committee noted concerns about the visual impact and potential for street clutter, but concluded that the proposal was acceptable as it replaced an existing unit, maintained a similar footprint, and incorporated features to mitigate light pollution.

Land Outside 78-82 High Street, Sutton

The committee granted planning permission for the replacement of a current digital kiosk with a BT Street Hub featuring two advertisement screens. Councillor Alapati, Councillor Appleby, Councillor Askari, Councillor Fivey, Councillor Kumar, Councillor Sahathevan, Councillor Samrat and Councillor Shaw voted in favour, with Councillor Long voting against. The committee acknowledged concerns about the visual impact and potential for street clutter, but noted that the proposal was similar in scale to a previously approved scheme and would have a neutral effect on the conservation area.

The meeting concluded at 10:13 pm.