The Sutton Council Planning Committee met on 2 July 2025, and approved a tree preservation order, a residential development, and extensions to a house. The committee voted to confirm a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for a Copper Beech, grant permission for the erection of 8 two-storey and 1 single storey attached dwellings, and grant permission for the erection of a single-storey side and rear extension.

Tree Preservation Order for 52 Tewkesbury Road

The committee voted to confirm Tree Preservation Order TPO2025/01 for a Copper Beech at 52 Tewkesbury Road, Carshalton. The council had initially made the order to protect the tree, believing it to be under imminent threat of felling. The mature Copper Beech is considered to have a high amenity value, and its removal would harm public visual amenity.

The council received one letter of objection to the TPO from Mr Mark Lake of 52 Tewkesbury Road, as well as a petition of 24 signatures stating that they did not object to the removal of the tree.

Mr Lake cited the tree's excessive size, proximity to his home, severe light restriction, mess, hygiene issues, and property and infrastructure concerns as reasons for his objection. He also stated that his neighbours supported the removal of the tree, and that there had been a lack of prior consultation.

The council responded to the objections, stating that the tree is fully mature and has been for many decades, and that the TPO does not prevent typical pruning operations to manage the tree. The council also stated that ensuring that trees remain in a safer condition is a trade-off in keeping mature trees within the urban environment, and that the high amenity and landscape value of the tree is considered to outweigh seasonal nuisances.

The council concluded that the tree was in good health and condition, and that there was no justification for its removal for safety concerns. The council also considered that the majority of the potential and predicted issues with the tree can be improved through canopy pruning.

Land Rear of Violet Close

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the erection of 8 two-storey and 1 single-storey attached dwellings with accommodation in roofspace, and provision of cycle and refuse storage, car parking, and associated landscaping on land rear of Violet Close.

The application had received more than 10 objections, contrary to the recommendation to grant permission.

The proposed development is considered to be acceptable in principle in land use terms, as it would provide nine family-sized homes and would contribute to housing needs within the borough. The proposed development would respect the local context of the site and would not result in significant harm to the character of the surrounding area. The proposed development would not result in harm to the amenity of the neighbouring occupiers or future occupiers and would provide a satisfactory level of accommodation.

The proposed development includes the installation of a traffic light signal system on the existing access close to the junction with Ridge Road, which would be visible to approaching drivers. The operation of the signal would be set so as to prioritise incoming vehicles in order to mitigate any potential traffic congestion along Ridge Road.

Stone Court and Stone Court Cottage, North Street, Carshalton

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the change of use of Stone Court and Stone Court Cottage from Class E (Offices) to Class C3 (Residential) to provide 6 self-contained residential units. This includes accommodation in roofspace of the single-storey elements of Stone Court, demolition of a small lean-to extension, alterations to the fenestration of Stone Court and Stone Cottage, alterations to existing boundary treatments, provision of vehicular and pedestrian access from Mill Lane, and provision of cycle and refuse stores in an existing garage.

This application had been referred to the committee because the council has an interest in the land (Stone Court and the cottage are council-owned and subject to an agreement for long lease which is conditional on planning consent) and the application had received over 1 letter of objection, contrary to the recommendation to grant planning permission.

The design and sympathetic conversion of the proposal is acceptable and would not cause harm to the character of the existing property (a Locally Listed Building) and Carshalton Village Conservation Area¹. As the development does not propose any additional massing, the design does not impact on the openness of Metropolitan Open Land² to which the site is located within.

The committee added a condition to ensure the vehicle access gates are electronically operated so that they can be activated/opened from a moving vehicle approaching the site.

28 Victoria Avenue, Wallington

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the erection of a single-storey side and rear extension at 28 Victoria Avenue, Wallington.

The application had been referred to the committee because the applicant is a member of the council, a member of staff, or their families, or where a councillor has declared an interest in the application.

The proposed residential extensions to the existing single-family dwelling are acceptable in principle in land use terms, as there is no change of use proposed. The design of the proposal is acceptable and would not cause harm to the character of the existing property or wider area. The proposal would not adversely affect any neighbouring properties in terms of loss of light, outlook, and privacy, or increased noise and disturbance. The proposal would not adversely impact trees or biodiversity at the site. Parking provision would not be adversely affected by the proposal, and the proposal would not cause harm in terms of highway and pedestrian safety.