The Planning Committee of Sutton Council met on Wednesday 3 December 2025 to discuss several planning applications. Key decisions included the approval of revised plans for the Elm Grove Estate redevelopment and the refusal of a change of use application for a property in Surrey Grove. The committee also granted permission for new industrial units at Sutton Business Park and approved a flexible change of use for a former public house in Wallington.

Elm Grove Estate, 216-220 High Street, Sutton SM1 1NU

The committee considered two applications related to the Elm Grove Estate redevelopment. The first, DM2025/00952, sought to vary conditions of the existing outline planning permission to allow alterations to building location, height, and parameters. This application was granted, subject to referral to the Mayor of London and the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The second application, DM2025/01068, was a reserved matters application seeking approval for the access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of the development. This was also approved, subject to conditions and the permission being granted for the related section 73 application (DM2025/00952).

The revised plans for the Elm Grove Estate redevelopment were approved, allowing for alterations to building configurations and heights. The reserved matters application for the same site was also approved, detailing the appearance, layout, and landscaping of the development.

15 Surrey Grove, Sutton SM1 3PW

An application for a change of use from a residential dwelling (Class C3) to a small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Class C4) for four rooms, including a single-storey rear extension and alterations to the front fenestration, was refused. Despite officers recommending approval, the committee voted to refuse permission. The refusal was based on the loss of a single-family dwelling in an area not designated for intensification, concerns about unreasonable noise and refuse accumulation, and the potential for increased on-street parking, contrary to policies in the Sutton Local Plan 2018.

Sutton Business Park, Restmor Way, Hackbridge SM6 7AH

Planning permission was granted for the erection of a two-storey detached building comprising six self-contained mixed-use industrial units (Use Class B2/B8 and EGiii), with ancillary office space at mezzanine level, vehicle parking, cycle spaces, a sub-station, and boundary treatment. This decision was made despite receiving over ten letters of objection. The applicant also agreed to enter into a Section 106 legal agreement to secure obligations related to carbon offset and performance clawback, biodiversity monitoring, and air quality mitigation.

6 Woodcote Road, Wallington, Sutton SM6 0NN

Permission was granted for a change of use of the ground floor from a drinking establishment (Sui Generis) to a flexible Class E use (commercial and business) or Sui Generis use (drinking establishment). This application was de-delegated by Councillor Jayne McCoy due to concerns about the loss of the pub against Policy 22 of the Sutton Local Plan. The committee's decision was based on extensive marketing evidence demonstrating the pub's lack of viability over a prolonged period, the availability of alternative public house provision nearby, and the retention of the Sui Generis use option. A condition was imposed to restrict the hours of operation for any future Class E use and to require prior approval for noise mitigation schemes for specific high-intensity uses within Class E.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The minutes of the previous Planning Committee meetings held on 5 November 2025 and 1 October 2025 were approved, with an amendment to the latter.

Declarations of Interest

Several councillors declared interests, stating they would approach agenda items with an open mind. Councillor Patrick Ogbonna declared he was the ward councillor for 15 Surrey Grove. Councillor Jayne McCoy declared she had de-delegated agenda item 10 (6 Woodcote Road) and would act as a ward councillor for that item, stepping down from chairing for that discussion. Councillor Richard Clifton took over as Chair for that item.

Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Councillor Eric Allen and Councillor Sam Martin. Councillor Peter Geiringer attended as a substitute for Councillor Allen, and Councillor Edward Joyce attended as a substitute for Councillor Martin.