The South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee met on Thursday 10 September 2026, approving a £3,000 Neighbourhood Community Grant for Voices of Hope. The meeting also discussed community safety and considered two planning applications.

Community Grant Applications

The committee approved a £3,000 Neighbourhood Community Grant for Voices of Hope to support their Baby BRITE Box project. This project aims to assist families with early years support and nutrition, providing weekly boxes of healthy ingredients, recipes, and essential weaning equipment. The funding will enable the project to be implemented and evaluated at Chessington Children's Centre, supporting approximately ten families over a six-week period. The project aligns with the South of the Borough Neighbourhood Community Plan's priorities for physical and mental health, supporting vulnerable residents, and providing new opportunities within the neighbourhood. The grant application was supported by a detailed budget, and Voices of Hope confirmed that any minor deficit would be covered by their own reserves.

Community Safety Update

The committee received an update on community safety initiatives through the Safer Kingston Partnership Annual Report 2025-2026. The report highlighted key achievements across four priority areas: Working in and with our Communities, Preventing and reducing violence and exploitation, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and Thriving Neighbourhoods. Notable achievements included progress on a CCTV upgrade, the launch of MET ENGAGE for residents to receive Neighbourhood Policing updates, and the EnTRAPreneurship project, which received an Excellence in Innovation Award for creating economic opportunities to divert individuals from crime. The report also detailed efforts to end VAWG, including a co-produced strategy that was recognised at the LGC Awards, and initiatives to foster thriving neighbourhoods, such as a 24/7 helpline for victims of hate crime and a Youth-Led Community Safety Conference. For the upcoming year, the Safer Kingston Partnership will focus on these priorities and introduce new ones, including addressing Online Harm and reducing Reoffending.

Planning Applications

Two planning applications were considered by the committee:

• 5 Moorfield Road, Chessington KT9 1AU: This application sought permission for the demolition of a single-storey bungalow and the erection of two semi-detached, four-bedroom dwellings over three storeys. The committee agreed to approve the application subject to conditions. The proposal was considered to make a positive contribution to the council's housing target and was deemed to be of acceptable, high-quality design that respects the character of the surrounding area. Conditions were imposed to ensure satisfactory living conditions for neighbouring occupiers, proper waste management, and the implementation of a sustainable drainage scheme.

• 3 Ellingham Road, Chessington, KT9 2JA: This application proposed the demolition of a detached garage and the erection of two-storey side and single-storey rear extensions to facilitate the change of use from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a 7-bed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class Sui Generis). The committee agreed to approve the application subject to conditions. The proposal was considered acceptable in principle, providing additional residential accommodation of an acceptable standard and contributing to the borough's housing needs. The committee noted the permitted development fallback position, which would allow conversion to a six-person HMO without planning permission. Conditions were included to ensure the development adhered to approved plans, provided adequate cycle and refuse storage, and maintained fire safety standards.