The South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee met on Thursday 10 September 2026 and approved a community grant application. The committee also discussed planning applications and received an update on community safety.

Community Grant Applications

The committee approved a Neighbourhood Community Grant of £3,000 for Voices of Hope to support their Baby BRITE Box project. This project aims to assist families with early years support and nutrition during the weaning stage for babies around six months old. Each participating family will receive a weekly box containing ingredients for baby and parent meals, along with 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.

Planning Applications

Two planning applications were discussed:

• 5 Moorfield Road, Chessington KT9 1AU: Permission was granted for the demolition of a single-storey bungalow and the erection of two semi-detached, four-bedroom dwellings over three storeys. The decision was made subject to conditions, including finalising recommended conditions by the Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Infrastructure. The proposal was considered to make a positive contribution to the council's housing targets and to be of acceptable design and scale, respecting the character of the surrounding area. Concerns raised by objectors regarding height, bulk, massing, parking, and neighbour amenity were assessed and deemed not to outweigh the benefits of the development.

• 3 Ellingham Road, Chessington, KT9 2JA: Permission was granted for 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 decision was delegated to the Director of Planning and Regeneration to finalise conditions. The proposal was considered acceptable in principle, particularly given the permitted development rights that would allow a conversion to a six-person HMO without planning permission. The standard of accommodation, character and appearance, neighbour amenity, and highway and parking arrangements were deemed acceptable. Objections regarding the HMO use being out of keeping with the area, increased noise, and parking were considered, but the proposal was found to provide an acceptable standard of accommodation and not to cause unacceptable impacts on neighbouring amenity or the highway network.

Community Safety Update

The committee received an update on community safety, including the Safer Kingston Partnership Annual Report 2025-2026. The report highlighted key achievements across four priorities: Working in and with our Communities, Preventing and reducing violence and exploitation, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and Thriving Neighbourhoods. Notable initiatives included CCTV upgrades, the launch of MET ENGAGE for residents to receive Neighbourhood Policing updates, and the EnTRAPreneurship project which aims to divert individuals from crime by creating economic opportunities. The report also detailed efforts to end Violence Against Women and Girls, including co-producing a strategy that received national recognition and participating in a Cabinet Office pilot. For Thriving Neighbourhoods, achievements included launching a 24/7 helpline for hate crime victims and developing an Anti-Hate Crime Action Plan. The report also outlined the Safer Kingston Partnership's priorities for 2026-27, which include a new focus on Online Harm and Reducing Reoffending.