Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Kingston upon Thames Council Planning Committee meeting on 10 September 2025. The meeting was scheduled to address two planning applications, one concerning the conversion of a property into flats with disabled access, and the other regarding the extension and refurbishment of a health and fitness club. Councillors were also expected to confirm the minutes of a previous meeting and to declare any relevant interests.

Planning Application: 95 Moor Lane, Chessington KT9 1HU

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the property at 95 Moor Lane. The proposal involved the demolition of an existing outbuilding and the erection of a two-storey side and single-storey rear extension. The aim was to convert the existing property into two flats:

• A three-bedroom flat on the ground floor with disabled access.
• A two-bedroom flat on the first floor.

The report pack noted that the key issues for consideration included:

• The principle of the development.
• The impact on the character and appearance of the area.
• The impact on the amenities of neighbouring occupiers.
• The standard of accommodation.
• Highways and transportation.
• Fire safety.

The report pack noted that 20 neighbouring properties were notified of the application, and that three representations were received from two different addresses, objecting to the proposal. The objections related to the effects on trees, the height and bulk of the buildings, inappropriate design, loss of light, access and traffic problems, car parking issues, fumes and inadequate landscaping.

The report pack stated that the council is the applicant for the development.

The report pack stated that a key benefit of the proposal was the delivery of an accessible social rented unit. It also noted that the council is currently unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land as required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The report pack stated that the proposal would retain one three-bedroom unit and secure the provision of an additional two-bedroom unit. It also stated that the ground floor flat would be DDA¹ compliant and 95 sqm, while the first floor flat would be 70.3 sqm. The existing external amenity space was to be divided to provide a garden for the ground floor flat of 89 sqm and 69 sqm for the first floor flat.

The report pack stated that the proposed two-storey side extension would be approximately 11m in depth and 4m in width, and would be set down from the original ridge and back from the front elevation.

The report pack recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions, and that authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Regeneration to finalise the conditions in consultation with Councillor Mark Beynon, Chair of Planning Committee.

Planning Application: The River Club, Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park KT4 7PX

The Planning Committee was also scheduled to discuss an application concerning The River Club on Old Malden Lane in Worcester Park. The application sought permission for the extension and refurbishment of the existing health and fitness club. The key elements of the scheme included:

• A new single-storey gym, located on the site of the existing tennis courts, incorporating studios for spin and exercise classes.
• Extension of the existing swimming pool, along with upgraded changing facilities.
• The provision of a new restaurant, coffee shop, and members' lounge.
• Upgrading of the existing community hall.
• Three new padel courts to the north of the existing car park.
• New tree planting and soft landscaping across the site, alongside reconfiguration of the existing car park.

The report pack stated that the application would secure an Urban Greening Factor² (UGF) of 0.77, exceeding the policy requirement of 0.3, as well as Biodiversity Net Gains of 29.05% in habitat units and a 16.76% net gain in hedgerow units. The proposal would also achieve a BREEAM³ rating of Outstanding and secure seven active EV⁴ charging points.

The report pack noted that the development included a draft Community Use Agreement, which would ensure wider public benefits.

The report pack stated that the key issues to consider were:

• Principle of development, including land use, Metropolitan Open Land (MOL)⁵, flooding, and loss of sport facilities.
• Highways and transportation.
• Character and appearance.
• Biodiversity, UGF, and landscaping.
• Residential amenity considerations.
• Fire safety.

The report pack stated that 25 representations had been received, with 21 objecting to the proposals and four neither supporting nor objecting. The objections related to access and traffic problems, car park issues, fumes, noise, privacy, unacceptable use, effect on trees, design, inappropriate development in MOL, and land ownership.

The report pack included a consultation response from the Greater London Authority (GLA), which stated that the GLA did not have comments on the proposals other than those detailed in the letter. The GLA noted that the site is located within Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), which is given the same level of protection as Green Belt within the London Plan. The GLA considered that the proposal would meet the exception to inappropriate development outlined in paragraph 154 (part g) of the NPPF, as the site is Previously Developed Land (PDL) and the proposal would include the extension and refurbishment of the existing facilities and a new storey gym.

The report pack stated that Sport England raised no objection to the application, subject to the inclusion of a Community Use Agreement.

The report pack stated that although parts of the wider site fall within Flood Zones 2 and 3, the area proposed for development lies entirely within Flood Zone 1, and that the proposed development is assessed as being at low risk of flooding.

The report pack recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions and completion of a legal agreement, and that authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Regeneration to finalise the conditions and legal agreement in consultation with Councillor Mark Beynon, Chair of Planning Committee.